Warning issued on clay-based ‘detox’ drinks
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is reminding consumers, especially pregnant women, about the dangers of ingesting clay, clay-based ‘detox’ drinks and supplements.
The advice is being reissued after high levels of lead and arsenic were discovered in products being distributed by online retailers, despite the FSA warning of the potential health dangers only last year.
Exposure to arsenic can be associated with an increased risk of lung, skin and bladder cancer. Exposure to lead presents a risk for infants and children in particular, as it can be detrimental to brain development and affect intellectual performance.
For the same reason, pregnant women are also advised to avoid eating or drinking clay due to the potential risk to their unborn child.
The FSA is also reminding food manufacturers and retailers of their responsibility to ensure the products that they sell are safe and comply with the law. The FSA is working with online retailers to ensure that these products are either removed or marked as not safe for human consumption.
Source: FSA
.
| |
