A nationwide recall has been issued for organic freeze-dried blueberry pouches due to concerns about the presence of lead above the Food and Drug Administration’s recommended limits. According to a voluntary recall notice on the FDA website, BrandStorm Inc. recalled two lots of the Natierra Organic Freeze-Dried Blueberries, which were sold throughout the U.S. through online sales and in stores. The lead concerns apply to two batches of the 1.2-ounce blueberry pouches that have best by dates of 12/2024 and 01/2025. The pouches are white and blue with the Natierra brand and logo.BrandStorm Inc. has not yet received reports of any adverse effects related to the recalled product. Testing conducted by a lab in Maryland identified the issue with the blueberries and an investigation was conducted by the product packing site. The FDA says original heavy metal reports showed no presence of lead, but further investigation found the product’s country of origin, Lithuania, called for further monitoring. So how would lead end up in blueberries? According to the FDA, lead is a naturally occurring element that may come in contact with fruits and vegetables during the cultivation process. “Lead is a toxic substance present in our environment in small amounts and everyone is exposed to some lead from daily actions such as inhaling dust, eating food, or drinking water,” the FDA says. “Exposure to larger amounts of lead can cause lead poisoning. While lead can affect nearly every bodily system, its effects depend upon the amount of, and duration of lead exposure and age of the person exposed.” The FDA says people with high blood levels of lead may not show symptoms but may experience 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,” the FDA recall notice says. “Children are particularly vulnerable to lead poisoning.”The FDA also notes that if children are exposed to enough lead for an extended period of time, they may experience permanent damage to their central nervous systems that could result in learning disorders, developmental defects or other long-term health issues.Anyone who has the recalled product should discard it and not consume it. Refunds are available at the location of purchase, while returns will be provided through the validation of lot codes on affected products. Those who bought the affected product online at www.Natierra.com can email [email protected] to request a refund.
A nationwide recall has been issued for organic freeze-dried blueberry pouches due to concerns about the presence of lead above the Food and Drug Administration’s recommended limits.
According to a voluntary recall notice on the FDA website, BrandStorm Inc. recalled two lots of the Natierra Organic Freeze-Dried Blueberries, which were sold throughout the U.S. through online sales and in stores.
The lead concerns apply to two batches of the 1.2-ounce blueberry pouches that have best by dates of 12/2024 and 01/2025. The pouches are white and blue with the Natierra brand and logo.
BrandStorm Inc. has not yet received reports of any adverse effects related to the recalled product.
Testing conducted by a lab in Maryland identified the issue with the blueberries and an investigation was conducted by the product packing site.
The FDA says original heavy metal reports showed no presence of lead, but further investigation found the product’s country of origin, Lithuania, called for further monitoring.
So how would lead end up in blueberries?
According to the FDA, lead is a naturally occurring element that may come in contact with fruits and vegetables during the cultivation process.
“Lead is a toxic substance present in our environment in small amounts and everyone is exposed to some lead from daily actions such as inhaling dust, eating food, or drinking water,” the FDA says. “Exposure to larger amounts of lead can cause lead poisoning. While lead can affect nearly every bodily system, its effects depend upon the amount of, and duration of lead exposure and age of the person exposed.”
The FDA says people with high blood levels of lead may not show symptoms but may experience 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,” the FDA recall notice says. “Children are particularly vulnerable to lead poisoning.”
The FDA also notes that if children are exposed to enough lead for an extended period of time, they may experience permanent damage to their central nervous systems that could result in learning disorders, developmental defects or other long-term health issues.
Anyone who has the recalled product should discard it and not consume it. Refunds are available at the location of purchase, while returns will be provided through the validation of lot codes on affected products.
Those who bought the affected product online at www.Natierra.com can email [email protected] to request a refund.
