Protecting families from contaminated food and water
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Protecting families from contaminated food and water
Posted in Our Blog,Outbreaks & Recalls on July 14, 2022
BrandStorm Inc., announced a voluntary recall on July 14, 2022 for 2 lots of their Natierra’s Organic Freeze-Dried Blueberry Pouches. Specifically, lot#’s 2021363-1 and 2022026-1 due to the presence or potential presence of lead above the FDA’s recommended serving size.
Natierra specializes in freeze dried products such as fruits and vegetables as well as seasonings. Their biggest seller are their freeze-dried smoothie powders.
Affected product was distributed in the United States through retail and online stores as individual sales or part of a subscription plan.
The issue was discovered after testing conducted by a lab in Maryland indicated lead at levels above the FDA limit. Following this news, an investigation was conducted by the packing site. Original heavy metal reports for the crop year were reviewed and no presence of lead and/or cause for batch testing was indicated. The country of origin for this product is Lithuania. Currently, aggressive monitoring of heavy metals may be deemed necessary for this country of origin. The packing site immediately began actively working to enhance their food safety system by implementing mandatory batch testing for heavy metal for this product.
| Product | Size | Lot | Best By | UPC |
| Natierra Organic Freeze-Dried Blueberries | 1.2 oz | 2021363-1 | 12/2024 | 812907011160 |
| Natierra Organic Freeze-Dried Blueberries | 1.2 oz | 2022026-1 | 01/2025 | 812907011160 |
Recalled product can be identified as packaged in a white and blue pouch with the Natierra brand and logo. The product name, manufacturer details and lot numbers can be found on the bottom right side of the pouch.
According to the recall report, the parent company BrandStorm Inc. has not had any reports of adverse reaction or illness related to use of the recalled product. It should be noted though, that many of the effects associated with consuming lead are more long-term than acutely experienced – at least in smaller amounts.
“First and foremost, we remain focused on the health and welfare of our employees, customers, and partners. We are committed to taking the appropriate steps to ensure our network and services continue to operate seamlessly for our customers.”
Anyone with Natierra’s Organic Freeze-Dried Blueberry Pouches should discontinue use and monitor for symptoms. Seek medical attention if you feel you may have lead-poisoning symptoms.
While most recalls indicate that recalled product should be discarded, it is always a good idea to at least retain packaging. Ensure that no one in the household can consume the potentially dangerous product, but any additional product or information can be used for traceback investigation purposes.
Packaging contains lot numbers that help to narrow down a production date window. While the recall in this case is limited to just two lots, if others have fallen ill with other lots, the recall may be extended despite product testing at the facility.
Any additional information that your illness can provide may help prevent others from falling ill. Retaining packaging can help public health agencies end the outbreak quicker with fewer people impacted.
Oftentimes people with high blood levels of lead can show no symptoms at all, though the damage is severe. Damage to the nervous system and internal organs such as the liver, kidneys, and heart can produce long-term and sometimes fatal results.
Initial symptoms of lead poisoning are wide ranged and vary from person to person. Symptoms may include:
Long-term effects are very serious in children. Children will experience similar acute symptoms after consuming food products contaminated with lead or exposed to lead, though long-time exposure can cause major problems.
If a child is exposed to enough lead for a longer period of time, which can include anywhere from weeks to months, permanent damage to the central nervous system can occur. This can present developmental defects, learning disorders, and other long-term health problems similar to those posed to adults.
How exactly does lead make its way into the food supply. As you can imagine, nobody would see pieces of metal and consume them. Generally, the lead consumed is not visible to the eye and is contaminated is such small amounts you would not notice a difference in taste or texture.
One way lead makes its way into the food supply is from the environment. Lead in the environment can settle on or be absorbed by food products such as fruits, vegetables, and cereal grains. These foods consumed alone or added as ingredients to other foods, including dietary supplements make their way onto your plate and into your body.
Lead that gets absorbed by plants, such as through irrigation, cannot be completely removed by washing or other food processing steps. Even during the cooking process, lead is not removed.
Another way that lead makes its way into foods is through the manufacturing process. Older plumbing uses lead pipes. Water used in the manufacturing process from these lead pipes can contaminate water used in food production.
Food stored in some pottery and other contact surfaces that contain lead can pass or leach lead into foods or drinks when food is prepared, served, or stored in them. Lead-based paint is a common source of this type of contamination.
The United States has outlawed lead products in food production through regulation, but other countries do not have these same practices and laws. Consuming food from foreign countries that still use lead in their products can create exposure risk.
While it may not be possible to entirely remove or prevent lead from entering the food supply, the United States has made policy and regulatory changes on the manufacturing and use of products that contain lead. As a result, there has been dramatic reductions in lead exposure from environmental contamination over the past 50 years.
Some of these changes include:
Babies and young children are the most vulnerable in our population. The long-term effects of lead exposure are catastrophic to growth and developments. In response, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is working towards solving this problem. The FDA’s Toxic Element Work Group put together the “Closer to Zero” action plan in 2021 that laid out specific activities to reduce exposure to lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury from foods consumed by babies and young children.
In 2022 these efforts continue. For example, in April 2022 the agency announced a “draft guidance for industry” for action levels for lead in juice. Later this year another draft guidance on action levels for lead in baby foods is expected.
If you or someone you know has been exposed to lead from Natierra freeze-dried blueberries, seek medical attention as soon as possible. If you have consumed a product that has been recalled for the potential presence for lead or lead contamination and have been harmed as a result, you may have options to help.
The trusted Food Poisoning Lawyers at The Lange Law Firm, PLLC offer a free consultation to help you put the pieces back together by giving you advice and/or explaining your options. Reach out for a free consultation at www.MakeFoodSafe.com or by calling (833) 330-3663.
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)