Consumer Alert: Vita Breath

The FDA advises consumers not to purchase nor consume Vita Breath, a dietary supplement manufactured by American Herbal Lab Inc. of Rosemead, California.

This product may contain hazardous levels of lead.

The advisory is based on a report by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene about a patient with lead poisoning who reported taking Vita Breath and two other herbal products.

The department analyzed a sample of Vita Breath and reported it contained 1,100 parts per million of lead — more than 10,000 times higher than FDA’s maximum recommended level for lead in candy.

The bottom line?

Lead poisoning may damage the nervous system and internal organs.

Acute lead poisoning may cause abdominal pain, muscle weakness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and bloody or decreased urinary output.

Children are particularly vulnerable to lead poisoning.

5/4/10 15:14 JR