Friday, January 27, 2017
Statement of Charles Bell
Programs Director
Consumers Union is deeply concerned about the continued marketing and sale of Hyland homeopathic teething products for infants by supermarkets, pharmacies, and other retail outlets. The Food and Drug Administration confirmed today that it has found varying and elevated levels of belladonna, a plant that contains potentially deadly toxins, in teething tablets for infants sold under the Hyland brand.
In light of the findings, the FDA contacted the product’s manufacturer, Standard Homeopathic Company in Los Angeles, and discussed a potential recall. However, the FDA’s news release says that the company has not agreed to conduct a product recall at this time.
The FDA had previously warned consumers not to use Hyland homeopathic teething products after receiving adverse event reports from the public, which include complaints about rashes, children appearing listless, and multiple reports of seizures. The FDA has also stated it is not aware of any proven health benefit of the products.
In light of the serious potential risks to infants from belladonna, Consumers Union urges retailers, pharmacy chains, and online web merchants to immediately stop selling the Hyland teething products, until and unless the unresolved safety questions raised by the FDA are fully addressed by the products’ manufacturer. We further urge retailers to act swiftly to remove the Hyland teething products from store shelves and other sales channels immediately. We plan to write directly to supermarkets, pharmacies, and other retailers over the next 48 hours to make sure they are aware of the FDA’s announcement, and our serious concerns about these products. We also join with the FDA in urging consumers to immediately stop using these products, and to dispose of any in their possession.