The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued a consumer warning, asking consumers – especially pregnant women, not to consume clay-based detox supplements and drinks as they may contain high levels of lead and arsenic.
The agency has issued this alert after high levels of lead and arsenic were discovered in products being distributed by online retailers.
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.
The Agency is advising pregnant women to avoid eating or drinking clay due to the potential risk to their unborn child.
The FSA is advising people not to purchase or consume the following products: Bentonite Clay, sold by buywholefoods.online.co.uk; Bentonite Clay, sold by nealsyardremedies.com; Calcium Bentonite Clay, sold by natures-harvest.co.uk; French Green Montmorillonite Clay sold by naturalrussia.com; Premium Calcium Montmorillonite Clay, sold by synergy-health.co.uk; Edible Earth digestive detoxicant and ionic mineral supplement, sold by detoxpeople.eu and wholesalehealthltd.co.uk.
Food manufacturers and retailers have been asked to ensure the products that they sell are safe and comply with the law. The Agency is working with online retailers to ensure that these products are either removed or marked as not safe for human consumption.
