Authorities have withdrawn more than 350,000 packages of iron-containing food supplements from US markets after discovering they pose a serious risk of poisoning, especially to children.
Vitaquest International, the manufacturer of several brands such as Bari Life, Arey and NuLife, announced the recall, explaining that the problem was related to the supplement packaging not being child-resistant.
Health officials warned that this defect could lead to children accidentally taking overdoses, which could cause serious injuries or even death.
According to the data, the affected products were sold between April 2023 and February 2026, at prices ranging from $13 to $130 per pack, and were available in major stores such as Erewhon and Vitamin Shoppe and through the Amazon platform.
The affected brands include: Arey, Bari Life, Bird&Be, Biote, Dr. Fuhrman, NuLife, HMR, Baritric Pal, Noevir, Zenbean, and Sakara.
The relevant authorities confirmed that no injuries or illnesses have been recorded so far.
Authorities urged consumers to keep these products out of reach of children, and to contact the manufacturer for child-resistant packaging or covers, or to dispose of or return the recalled products for a refund.
A list of the affected batch numbers was also published on the website of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which oversaw the recall.
The agency said these supplements contain iron, an element that must be sold in packaging safe for children according to packaging poisoning prevention laws, but the current packaging does not meet these standards, increasing the risk of poisoning if swallowed.
Iron is an essential element in the body for the production of hemoglobin, which is responsible for transporting oxygen in the blood. However, an excess of iron can be dangerous, as it may lead to cell damage and disturbances in energy production.
Doctors warn against exceeding the recommended doses, which vary according to age and health condition, as adults need specific amounts daily, while children's needs are much lower.
Early symptoms of iron poisoning include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Severe cases may progress to internal bleeding, severe fluid loss and shock, and then death if not treated promptly.
Young children are the most vulnerable group, as they may mistake supplements for candy and consume them in large quantities. Historically, iron poisoning has been a leading cause of drug-related deaths in children under six.
These supplements are also used by a number of groups, such as pregnant women, blood donors, vegetarians, and people who have undergone bariatric surgery, to compensate for iron deficiency or poor absorption.
Iron poisoning can be treated with a special medical antidote, but its effectiveness depends on early intervention.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration explains that daily iron needs vary according to age and gender. Men need about 8.7 milligrams daily after age 19, while women need 14.8 milligrams between the ages of 19 and 49, and then the need decreases after age 50.
Many people often get their iron needs from food, such as red meat and legumes, but some resort to supplements when there is a deficiency.
