Wondering how baby products containing deadly nightshade could stay on the market for 6 years after the FDA warned they could be poisonous? So are we.
In October 2010, the FDA warned that several babies had seizures or other symptoms of belladonna poisoning after being given homeopathic teething tablets and gels.
FDA testing found varying amounts of belladonna in Hyland’s Teething Tablets. All lots were recalled, but they soon returned to store shelves.
The FDA re-opened its investigation in September 2016, after another report of a child who had a seizure after being given a homeopathic teething product. Investigators found over 400 side effect reports since 2010, including 10 deaths.
The reports describe children who had symptoms consistent with belladonna poisoning — death, seizures, fevers, shortness of breath, lethargy, constipation, vomiting, sleeplessness, agitation, and irritability.
On September 30, the FDA warned parents against using homeopathic teething products. The agency is now testing products for belladonna toxicity.
Homeopathy is based on the belief that toxic substances in small amounts will cure the same disease they would cause in large amounts. The problem is that belladonna is one of the most toxic plants on Earth, even in small amounts.
CVS stopped selling the following products:
- Baby Orajel Naturals Gel for Teething Pain, .33 oz
- Baby Orajel Naturals Gel for Teething Pain Nighttime Formula, .33 oz
- Baby Orajel Naturals Tablets for Teething Pain, 125 Count
- CVS Homeopathic Infant’s Teething Tablet, 135 Count
- CVS Homeopathic Infants’ Teething Liquid, .85 oz
- Hyland’s Baby Nighttime Teething Tablets, 135 Count
- Hyland’s Baby Teething Gel, .5 oz
- Hyland’s Baby Teething Tablets, 13 Count
- Hyland’s Baby Teething Tablets, 135 Count
- Hyland’s Teething Gel, .33 oz
Source: BuzzFeed News