FDA Issues Warning on Vita Breath

SILVER SPRING, Md. FDA issued a warning May 1, advising consumers to avoid purchasing or consuming Vita Breath, a dietary supplement manufactured by American Herbal Lab Inc., Rosemead, Calif., as the product may contain hazardous levels of lead. The advisory came out after the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene notified FDA about a patient with lead poisoning who reported taking Vita Breath and two other herbal products. The department analyzed a sample of Vita Breath and reported it contained 1,100 parts per million of lead. This level is more than 10,000 times higher than FDAs maximum recommended level for lead in candy. FDA has collected and is currently analyzing its own samples of Vita Breath.

People with high blood levels of lead may show no symptoms, but the condition may cause damage to the nervous system and internal organs. Acute lead poisoning may cause a wide range of symptoms, including abdominal pain, muscle weakness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and bloody or decreased urinary output. Children are particularly vulnerable to lead poisoning. Lead poisoning can be diagnosed through clinical testing, and individuals who have taken Vita Breath should talk to their health care providers about testing.

FDA is working with state officials in New York and California to further investigate Vita Breath.