On December 31, 2009, the FDA issued a warning to consumers and medical professionals,to avoid consuming “Nzu”, a product taken as a traditional remedy for morning sickness due to high levels of lead and arsenic. Pregnant or breastfeeding women are especially at risk since they are the target demographic for the product and pass on the risks to their developing children. Lead exposure creates harmful effects, and permanently adversely affects the brain and nervous system in developing children. Arsenic is a known human carcinogen linked to lung, skin, bladder, kidney, and liver cancer and it is also loosely associated with metabolic diseases such as diabetes.
Nzu is sold mostly at African specialty stores and is also called Calabash clay, Calabar stone, Mabele, Argile and La Craie.
Anyone who has been ingesting the product should cease immediately and contact their health care provider. Any adverse events that may be related to use should be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program online by clicking here or by phone at 1-800-332-1088.
If you have any questions about injuries related to this medication, or any other medication, you can call our firm for more information about your legal rights. Click here to contact us online or call us at (202) 463-3030.