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Jackson Heights-based company recalls 11 dietary supplements for high lead, mercury levels

Baidyanath brand Sarivadi Bati (pictured) is one of 11 products recalled for high levels of lead and mercury.
Photos courtesy of U.S. FDA

A company based out of Jackson Heights has recalled a handful of dietary supplements after it was found they contained high levels of lead and mercury, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Butala Emporium Inc. is voluntarily recalling 11 Ayurvedic (dietary) supplements because it was found each contained elevated levels of lead and mercury which many cause health problems to consumers, particularly infants, small children, pregnant women and those with kidney disorders.

The products were distributed in New York through retail stores and to consume as single unit purchases via the company’s site within California, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont, D.C. and Puerto Rico.

According to the FDA, the concentration of lead surpasses the recommended daily exposure for children less than 6 years old and women of childbearing age and could be injurious to health. Long exposure to lead could cause permanent damage to the central nervous system, learning disorders, development defects and other long-term health problems.

The mercury levels found in these products exceed the weekly intake exposure and would likely be injurious to health, the FDA said. With short-term use, the levels of mercury could cause kidney, stomach and intestinal symptoms. Month-long use of these products could be lethal.

Consuming mercury at these levels can also lead to psychiatric and personality disturbances, loss of coordination, visual and hearing loss, and other neurological conditions, particularly exposed in utero.

No complaints or illnesses have been received to date and Butala is notifying its consumers to not take these products.

The following supplements have been recalled:

  • Baidyanath brand Saptamrit Lauh—Batch No. SPL-04, expiration date 04/2018
  • Baidyanath brand Rajahpravartini Bati—Batch No. RAJ-15 0 & 126, expiration date 01/2019 and 07/2016
  • Baidyanath brand Sarivadi Bati—Batch No. SRI-09, expiration date 04/2018
  • Baidyanath brand Shankh Bati—Batch No. SHN-02, expiration date 08/2018
  • Baidyanath brand Marichyadi Bati—Batch No. 200, expiration date 08/2017
  • Baidyanath brand Agnitundi Bati—Batch No. 018, expiration date 02/2016
  • Baidyanath brand Arogyavardhini Bati—Batch No. 018, expiration date 03/2017
  • Baidyanath brand Sarivadi Bati—Batch No. SARI-015, expiration date 01/2019
  • Baidyanath brand Brahmi Bati—Batch No. HGB-18, expiration date 03/2019, Batch Nos. 244 and 242, expiration date 03/2017 (products without Batch No. or expiration date are subject to this recall)
  • Baidyanath brand Gaisantak Bati—Batch No. GAI-09, expiration date 08/2018 and Batch No. 141, expiration date 10/2017
  • Baidyanath brand Chitrakadi Bati—Batch No. 193, expiration date 02/2018

The supplements are 80-count capsules packed in white, plastic bottles with green, yellow or orange labeling under the name “Baidyanath” made by Shree Baidyanath Ayurved Bhawan (P) Ltd. 1 Gupta Lane, Kolkata, India and top cap sticker with imported by Butala Emporium.

The recall began after testing conducted by the city’s Department of Health laboratory and the U.S. FDA.

Pregnant women and patients with underlying kidney problems who may have consumed any of the products should consult with their physician or health care provider. For more information, consumers should contact their local poisoning prevention program or local public health department.

Consumers who have purchased these products are asked not to consume the product and should return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 718-899-5590, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET or email butala1@aol.com.

Reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online at www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm. Consumers can also do it via regular mail or by fax by downloading a form at www.fda.gov/MedWatch/getforms.htm or by calling 800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 800-FDA-0178.