A major recall is underway for multivitamins sold online, prompted by a serious safety issue that could result in lethal poisoning.
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the recall of approximately 4,700 bottles of Blueroot Health’s Bariatric Fusion iron multivitamins sold via Amazon because the packaging fails to meet federal child-resistant requirements.
According to the CPSC, the physical design of the caps is the core issue. They lack the embossed lettering that provides the required ‘push down and turn’ opening instructions and feature smooth tops instead of textured ones, ‘posing a risk of deadly poisoning’ if the contents are swallowed by young children.
The packaging is therefore non-compliant with federal regulations set by the Poison Prevention Packaging Act.
Enacted over five decades ago, the PPPA is a critical safety measure that mandates child-resistant packaging for a wide range of products to protect children under five from accidental ingestion.
No incidents or injuries have been reported to date.
The recalled products contain 45 milligrams of iron per serving, an amount around five milligrams higher than the upper limit deemed tolerable for children’s bodies. Iron supplements are classified as a regulated substance, legally requiring them to be sold in child-resistant packaging.
Accidental iron poisoning is a severe medical emergency for children. Ingesting even a small number of high-potency iron pills can rapidly corrode the gastrointestinal tract, causing violent symptoms like bloody vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, shock, organ failure and death.
Blueroot Health’s iron multivitamins are recalled for lacking child-resistant packaging. The CPSC announced the recall of 4,700 bottles sold via Amazon (stock image)
The recalled products are Bariatric Fusion High ADEK capsules (in 90- and 270-count bottles) and One Per Day bariatric multivitamin capsules (90-count), all of which contain 45 mg of iron.
Sold for $23 to $57 between January and June 2024, they were available on Amazon, the company’s own website, and other online retailers.
Consumers who purchased the affected bottles are instructed to immediately secure them out of sight and reach of children and contact Blueroot Health for a free child-resistant replacement cap that fulfills PPPA requirements.
The PPPA of 1970 is a pivotal piece of consumer safety legislation designed to protect young children from accidentally ingesting harmful substances.
Administered and enforced by the CPSC, the law specifically mandates that a wide range of hazardous products must be sold in ‘child-resistant’ packaging.
Packaging must be significantly difficult for most children under the age of five to open within a reasonable time, while remaining readily accessible to adults without posing undue effort.
CPSC officials identified the cap’s design as the main flaw, noting the lack of required ‘push down & turn’ lettering and its smooth top, which creates a serious poisoning risk for children
The law covers most prescription and over-the-counter medications, as well as dietary supplements containing iron and many common household chemicals.
The law has been highly successful, credited with preventing hundreds of child poisonings and deaths since its enactment.
Since the law was enacted, the annual number of poison-related deaths among children has plummeted, falling from 216 in 1972 to a recent average of just 31 per year.
Accidental iron poisoning in children is a particularly severe and fast-acting medical emergency that can lead to catastrophic multi-organ failure and death.
When a child takes a handful of pills containing an adult dose, iron can rapidly attack the gastrointestinal tract, causing direct tissue damage.
Sold for $23 to $57 between January and June 2024, the vitamins were available on Amazon, the company’s own website, and other online retailers
This initial phase can produce violent symptoms, including severe vomiting, often with blood, diarrhea, abdominal pain and lethargy.
If not treated immediately, the iron overwhelms the body’s ability to bind and store it, leading to a cascade of deadly effects, including a dangerous drop in blood pH, shock, liver failure and damage to the heart and nervous system.
A survivor may also face long-term health complications, such as scarring and strictures in the digestive system.
