Beth Mole at ArsTechnica has an article about the levels of belladonna in homeopathic teething products made by Hyland's:
After investigating reports that more than 400 babies were sickened and 10 died in connection with homeopathic teething products, the Food and Drug Administration confirmed Friday that it had indeed found elevated levels of the toxic substance, belladonna, in the products.
Belladonna, also known as deadly nightshade, was the prime suspect of the investigation from the beginning, which Ars reported about last fall. Nevertheless, the products' maker, Hyland's, would not agree to recall the products when it was notified of the FDA's conclusion, the agency reported
In a response to Ars, Hyland's has acknowledged that there are some inconsistencies in the amount of belladonna in its products, but the company said that it has not seen any evidence from the FDA indicating that the elevated levels were toxic or excessive. [...]The FDA said it had found inconsistent amounts of belladonna in Hyland's products. Some of the amounts were "far exceeding" what was intended.
[...] As before, the FDA is urging parents to avoid the homeopathic teething products and toss any already purchased. The FDA does not evaluate or approve the homeopathic products, which have no proven health benefit.
Also: Hylands FAQ about the discontinuation.
(Score: 1) by JavaDevGuy on Wednesday February 01 2017, @04:45PM
The FDA should be telling everyone to avoid homeopathic products as they are a fraud. Even worse than economic damage people with real issues can end up taking this snake oil and can suffer serious issues from not getting effective help.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday February 01 2017, @09:35PM
The product in question wasn't "homeopathic" as there was a measurable amount of the active ingredient in the product being sold. (Actual homeopathic "remedies" rely upon "water memory" and dilution to the point where the existence of a single molecule of the active ingredient is statistically unlikely to exist in the sale product.)
As far as remedies derived from natural sources, as seems to be the case here, people tend to become quite agitated when someone threatens to ban stuff which has been in use for years - perhaps generations - to the point where in some cases the nannygov gets so flustered by the outrage it caused that it backs off from nannying [latimes.com].
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday February 01 2017, @10:53PM
The FDA won't act, but the FTC is making them put up or shut up [npr.org] on their labels.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday February 01 2017, @11:02PM
You can't ban water, idiot.