Safety Warning for Best Bentonite Clay

[Navaria]

I'm not sure where this needs to be posted, but I hope both soapers and B&B makers will see this. I got an email from Amazon ref an FDA warning on bentonite clay sold by Best Bentonite.
Article link: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/...ivery&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Copy of article:
Best Bentonite Clay by Best Bentonite: FDA Alert - Risk of Lead Poisoning

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[Posted 03/23/2016]
AUDIENCE: Consumer
ISSUE: FDA is warning consumers not to use “Best Bentonite Clay,” a product of Best Bentonite, located in Guthrie, Oklahoma. FDA has determined that the product contains elevated lead levels and may pose a lead poisoning risk. FDA laboratories have found elevated levels of lead in “Best Bentonite Clay.” Exposure to lead can cause serious damage to the central nervous system, kidneys, and immune system. In children, chronic exposure to lead, even at low levels, is associated with cognitive impairment, reduced IQ, behavioral difficulties, and other problems.
BACKGROUND: “Best Bentonite Clay” is sold as a fine powder on Amazon.com and on the Best Bentonite website (www.bestbentonite.com). According to the Best Bentonite website, customers mix the product with water and ingest it or apply it to their skin.
FDA has not confirmed any cases of lead poisoning associated with “Best Bentonite Clay.”
RECOMMENDATION: Consumers should not purchase or use “Best Bentonite Clay.” Anyone who has used this product or given it to a child should consult a health care professional immediately.
Healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:

• Complete and submit the report Online: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report
• Download form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178

[03/23/2016 - Alert - FDA]

 

[KristaY]

Very interesting, Navaria. I've never used this brand but I wonder if they sell in bulk to other companies like BB, WSP, Soaper's Choice, etc so they can repackage and sell. I don't use bentonite often but it's in my gardener's soap which is curing now.

 

[lenarenee]

Elevated levels? Compared to....?

I recently purchased a toothpaste called Earthpaste - which came with a label stating it contained a small amount of naturally occurring lead.

A neighbor dealing with cancer was gifted a year's supply of vitamins purchased from QVC. She hated the smell of them and gave them to me and because I'd never heard of the vitamin company before I googled them and found they were under the gun for producing health products containing lead.

I'm wondering how much lead is allowed in a product, and how to find out?

 

[Navaria]

Very interesting, Navaria. I've never used this brand but I wonder if they sell in bulk to other companies like BB, WSP, Soaper's Choice, etc so they can repackage and sell. I don't use bentonite often but it's in my gardener's soap which is curing now.

Unfortunately, this is the brand I bought. I hope if the do sell to other companies, those companies contact their customers as well. Now I need to figure out how to dispose of it safely. Grrr!

 

[KristaY]

Elevated levels? Compared to....?

I recently purchased a toothpaste called Earthpaste - which came with a label stating it contained a small amount of naturally occurring lead.

A neighbor dealing with cancer was gifted a year's supply of vitamins purchased from QVC. She hated the smell of them and gave them to me and because I'd never heard of the vitamin company before I googled them and found they were under the gun for producing health products containing lead.

I'm wondering how much lead is allowed in a product, and how to find out?

The FDA, EPA and your local agencies will have safe allowed levels for lead in drinking water, cosmetics, clay used in pottery for food use, paint, etc. I don't have time to weed through the regs right now as I have to run in a few minutes but those agencies are the place to start.

 

[lenarenee]

The FDA, EPA and your local agencies will have safe allowed levels for lead in drinking water, cosmetics, clay used in pottery for food use, paint, etc. I don't have time to weed through the regs right now as I have to run in a few minutes but those agencies are the place to start.

Thanks Krista for verifying that for me! I especially need to look into children using clay as school starts again today and the art project this trimester is sculpture. I know lead can be absorbed through skin - especially children's.