Latest news with #heavyMetals
Medscape
02-07-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Chelation Therapy for Heart Disease? The Hype Doesn't Hold
This transcript has been edited for clarity. If you're like me, you use social media to follow dog accounts because the dogs are all very good boys. If you surf the dark corners of the internet where people with no medical training dole out medical advice without any qualifications, then you may have heard someone talk about heavy metals — and no, I don't mean the music. Heavy metals — things like mercury, lead, arsenic, and iron — supposedly cause everything from heart disease to autism. Now, you might be saying to yourself, 'Wait a second, lead poisoning isn't good for you. I learned that in medical school.' You are right, but the problem here is that people are using this factoid to push chelation therapy on an unsuspecting public. Now, if you don't know, chelation therapy is a medical procedure where you remove heavy metals from the body. This is obviously useful in cases of acute lead poisoning, for example. It isn't going to cure autism, and it's certainly not going to reduce your cardiovascular risk. However, about a decade ago, the TACT trial suggested that it there were problems with this study, such as a high dropout rate, maybe blinding failed, and numerous interim analysis. To make a long story short, even with all these caveats, the benefit was mainly limited to people with diabetes. A confirmatory follow-up study was planned. TACT2 was supposed to settle this issue definitively, and it was negative. If someone tries to sell you chelation therapy, don't buy it. It doesn't prevent heart disease, it doesn't treat autism, and it's potentially dangerous. It took over a decade and how many millions of dollars for us to figure it out, but at least it's done now. For Medscape, I'm Dr Christopher Labos.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Popular Salt Product Under Fire As Claims of 'Improper Levels of Heavy Metals' Mount
Another day, another class action lawsuit in the food world. A lawsuit initially filed in February by the California Federal Court claims that Fine Ground Celtic Sea Salt and Light Grey Celtic Sea Salt (both products of Celtic Ocean International LLC) are "contaminated with lead and arsenic." According to the public filing from ClassAction, heavy metal testing has been performed and tested positive for 460 ppb (parts per billion) of lead and 140 ppb of arsenic. For reference, in bottled water, the FDA currently allows a maximum of 5 ppb of lead, while the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency allows for 15 ppb of lead in public drinking water (such as tap water from the pipes).The Plaintiff, Mark Gonzalez of Los Angeles County, is filing the claim individually and "on behalf of all others similarly situated." The suit is claiming that "no level of lead exposure is safe," and that the Good Manufacturing Practice Quality Product label, among other packaging details, insinuates that the sea salts are "healthy." The lawsuit alleges that Celtic Ocean International LLC has failed to warn consumers and is exposing them to unlawful lead contamination, which could lead to damage in the organs, negatively impact the cardiovascular system, and accumulate over time, leaving chronic exposure. RELATED: "Once inside the human body, lead may travel to different tissues and organs, including the liver and kidneys, where it can cause damage to cells and tissues," the lawsuit said. Celtic Sea Salt is currently available at Amazon and Walmart. Considering that similar lawsuits have come to light, like General Mill's Cocoa Puffs being accused of having high levels of lead for $5 million back in 2024, the FDA is actively working on the Closer to Zero campaign. This initiative is meant to reduce childhood exposure to contaminants from foods by "developing new and improved testing methods to measure lower levels of contaminants in food." In the same vein, Ziploc was just accused of deceptive labeling. The lawsuit argues that the labeling "microwave safe" and "freezer safe" ignore that microplastics may seep into your Salt Product Under Fire As Claims of 'Improper Levels of Heavy Metals' Mount first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 26, 2025
Associated Press
23-06-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Wilbur-Ellis®, Talam Biotech to collaborate on US food crop solution for heavy metals
Companies enter market development agreement for novel approach to reducing toxic elements in food DENVER and GROTON, Conn., June 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Wilbur-Ellis, a leading provider of innovative solutions for agriculture, announced today that it has entered a US market development agreement with Talam Biotech, a biological technologies start-up, for Talam's natural microbial approach to reducing heavy metal uptake by crops. 'Reducing exposure to heavy metals in food demands a system-wide approach that starts at the farm,' said John Chrosniak, Talam Biotech Chief Executive Officer. 'Collaboration with agriculture innovation leaders like Wilbur-Ellis is key to unlocking the potential of our technology.' Talam researchers have developed a technology that uses naturally occurring soil microbes to reduce bioavailability of toxic heavy metals to crops. Reduced uptake by plants means less contaminants in grains, vegetables and fruits, with a direct positive impact on human health and crop yield in some cases. 'Talam's technology can make farmers significant players in addressing the challenge of heavy metals in food, with the potential to improve yields as well,' said Chris Wooley, Wilbur-Ellis Portfolio Manager-Specialty Actives. 'We've been impressed with Talam's early test results and are looking forward to helping bring this important innovation to US customers.' Heavy metals occur naturally in the environment and are also a result of human activity. They enter the food supply through the water and soil used to grow crops. Improving the understanding of the content and exposure of arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury in food and their impact on human health has increased consumer concerns and regulatory scrutiny around the world. An International Food and Information Council survey of US consumers released last fall found that 64 percent of Americans are 'very or extremely concerned' about heavy metals in food, with presence in baby food being the top ranking concern. This report also shows that among this group of consumers, half say they have changed their eating habits as a result. Early in 2025, the US Food and Drug Administration released action levels for lead in baby food. At the same time, California's Bill AB899 introducing requirements for testing and disclosure of heavy metals in baby foods went into effect. Maryland, Virginia, and Illinois have approved similar Bills to California's in the last few months. Talam anticipates commercial launch of a wheat product in 2027. Additional products for vegetables, grains, and root crops will follow. About Wilbur-Ellis: Founded in 1921, the Wilbur-Ellis companies are leading marketers, distributors, and manufacturers of agricultural products and animal nutrients. By developing strong relationships, making strategic market investments, and capitalizing on new opportunities, the Wilbur-Ellis companies have continued to grow the business with sales of over $3.5 billion. For more information, please visit Wilbur-Ellis Agriculture, with annual sales revenue of $2.5 billion, has over 150 branch locations throughout the U.S. ©2025 WILBUR-ELLIS Company LLC. WILBUR-ELLIS logo and The Power of We are registered trademarks of Wilbur-Ellis Company LLC. About Talam: Talam Biotech is a biological technologies start-up that is unlocking the hidden potential of soil to reduce toxic heavy metals in food. Our novel microbial solutions, derived from natural sources, reduce heavy metal uptake by inhibiting the bioavailability of heavy metals to plants. The team at Talam has extensive experience in understanding the power of microbes and their capacity to reduce contaminants and remediate soil pollutants. Talam recent investors include some of the most prominent funds in food and agriculture: Corteva Catalyst, the investment and partnership platform of Corteva Agriscience, Farmers Capital Fund – an early and growth-stage fund managed by Open Prairie that represents more than 220,000 family farmers and ranchers, and CT Innovations, the state of Connecticut's venture arm. These investors join long-term Talam shareholders Fulcrum Global Capital and The Yield Lab. Follow Talam on LinkedIn View original content: SOURCE Talam Biotech, Inc.
South China Morning Post
16-06-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
80% of 25 eyeshadows found to contain heavy metals: Hong Kong consumer watchdog
More than 80 per cent of 25 cream and liquid eyeshadows tested by Hong Kong's consumer watchdog have been found to contain heavy metals that may cause skin allergy, with lead being detected in all products, but at levels that do not pose safety concerns. Nine of the 25 single-colour models in stick, cream and liquid form did not list an expiry date or period after opening, according to the Consumer Council. Ten products only listed ingredients in Japanese or provided no such label. 'The industry is urged to clearly list all ingredients and expiry dates on the product package to help consumers identify potential health and environmental pollution risks to make informed choices,' Jack Poon Sik-ching, the council's chairman of the committee on digital economy and information technology, said on Monday. The council put to the test 10 eyeshadow sticks or crayons, seven cream eyeshadows and eight liquid eyeshadows. They were tested for four metals – antimony, chromium, cobalt and nickel – that could cause skin irritation, as well as four safety-related elements in lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury. The level of allergenic heavy metals detected in the cosmetic products was below a more lenient acceptable standard of 5mm/kg, except for Mermaid Eye Shade in colour Starfish from New York-based brand Chantecaille, which contained 5.4mm/kg of chromium. The Consumer Council says that nine products did not list an expiry date or a period after opening. Photo: Handout Cobalt was detected in 80 per cent of tested models in amounts between 0.13mm/kg and 1.6mm/kg, while 19 models contained chromium between 1mm/kg and 5.4mm/kg.
Reuters
23-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Amazon.com is sued over alleged sale of contaminated rice
May 23 (Reuters) - (AMZN.O), opens new tab was sued on Friday by consumers over its alleged sale of a wide variety of rice contaminated by arsenic and other "heavy metals." The proposed class action in Seattle federal court covers 18 types of rice sold through Amazon, including from familiar brands such as Ben's Original and Amazon-owned Whole Foods' 365. "Amazon sold these rice products with alarmingly high levels of heavy metals to an intended consumer audience that includes children, with no warning whatsoever about the dangers of heavy metals," the complaint said. The lawsuit followed a study, opens new tab last week by Healthy Babies, Bright Futures, a nonprofit that focuses on babies' exposure to toxic chemicals. That study found arsenic in all 145 rice samples purchased nationwide, with 28% exceeding a U.S. Food and Drug Administration limit for infant rice cereal. It also found cadmium in all but one sample, and lead and mercury in more than one-third of tested samples. Amazon, based in Seattle, had no immediate comment. Exposure to heavy metals has been associated with negative health effects such as nervous system problems, immune system suppression and kidney damage, and autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in young children. The 18 rice products include two from Ben's Original and three with the 365 label. Plaintiffs Ashley Wright and Merriman Blum said they would not have bought or would have paid less for Iberia Basmati 100% Aged Original rice, one of the products, if they knew the rice was contaminated or Amazon never tested it for heavy metals. Friday's lawsuit seeks unspecified damages of at least $5 million for Amazon's alleged violations of Washington state consumer protection laws. Makers of baby food and dark chocolate have also faced many consumer lawsuits over the alleged presence of heavy metals. The case is Wright et al v Inc, U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington, No. 25-00977.
