Parents in Ohio should be aware of a dangerous homeopathic baby product made by the Hyland company. After over 400 reports of sick and dead infants linked to a homeopathic teething remedy, the Food and Drug Administration conducted an investigation into the product. The FDA confirmed recently that the product did, in fact, contain elevated levels of belladonna, a toxic substance.
Also known as deadly nightshade, belladonna is an active ingredient in Hyland’s product, intended for teething infants. Poisoning from belladonna may cause vomiting, muscle weakness, difficulty breathing, seizures, constipation, difficulty urinating, confusion, lethargy, excessive sleepiness, skin flushing and blurred vision. The homeopathic product was supposed to contain highly diluted amounts of the dangerous substance, but the FDA discovered inconsistencies in the amount of belladonna in the product, with some purportedly far exceeding the intended quantity.
Despite the FDA’s findings and their warnings that belladonna puts children under the age of two at unnecessary risk, Hyland initially claimed that the amounts in their product fell within what they deemed an acceptable safety margin. The company did eventually discontinue distribution of the product in the United States. However, the National Center for Homeopathy – an organization with purported ties to the Hyland company — dismissed the FDA’s findings.
The Food and Drug Administration continues to urge parents to avoid and dispose of any of the homeopathic teething products they may already own. Any Ohio parents with children who have been injured by this or similar dangerous products or pharmaceuticals have the right to contact an attorney to explore their legal options. A lawyer with experience in product liability can offer legal advice and counsel in situations like these.
Source: arstechnica.com, “FDA confirms toxicity of homeopathic baby products; Maker refuses to recall [Updated]“, Beth Mole, Jan. 30, 2017
