FDA slams more homeopaths for playing fast and loose with toxic chemicals

Enlarge / Contains belladonna, aka deadly nightshade. (credit: Homeolab)

The Food and Drug Administration sent a sharp letter this month to a Canadian-based homeopathic pharmaceutical manufacturer named Homeolab USA. The letter warned of "significant violations" the agency found during a recent inspection and poor quality control of the company's infant teething products that contain the deadly poison belladonna, aka deadly nightshade.

The letter, dated August 2 and posted on the agency's website Wednesday, includes a lengthy list of quality and manufacturing process failures that render Homeolab's products "adulterated," the agency concluded. These include failing to test the quality of ingredients or ensuring consistent levels of belladonna in the products.

Homeolab is just the latest homeopathic company slammed by the FDA for problems related to belladonna-containing products. For years, the agency has been investigating reports of infants having seizures, losing consciousness, and, in some cases, dying after using such products. The symptoms were all consistent with belladonna poisonings. Last September, the FDA warned consumers to avoid the homeopathic teething gels and tablets distributed by Hyland's, CVS, and others.

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