Hyland teething trouble

AFTER months of speculation around the quality and safety of Hyland homeopathic infant teething products, the Therapeutic Goods Administration has announced that <adac is recalling all batches of Hyland’s Baby teething tablets and Hyland’s Baby nighttime teething tablets sold in Australia.

Last year the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a formal warning to consumers that these teething products may pose a health risk to infants and children (W 04 Oct 16).

The FDA had conducted an investigation and determined that these products supplied in the US contained inconsistent amounts of belladonna alkaloids, a todžic substance, which may differ from the calculated amounts listed on the products’ labels.

At the time, the FDA urged the manufacturer to agree to a recall - a call which was rejected by Hyland (W 30 Jan 17), resulting in the FDA re-issuing a formal warning to “stop using the Hyland’s products and dispose of any tablets in their possession”.

In the meantime, the TGA had conducted its own tests of the Hyland’s products supplied in Australia (W 02 Feb 17), saying it “found no quality issues”.

Despite this <adac is now recalling the tablets as a precautionary measure “due to the potential safety risks that belladonna alkaloids can pose to children”.

Belladonna effects can be unpredictable and could cause serious health problems, including seizures in children, the TGA said.

Hyland’s Baby teething tablets or Hyland’s Baby nighttime teething tablets can be returned to the point of purchase for a full refund or call <adac on 1300 762 025, the TGA has said, advising consumers to speak to their pharmacist for more advice on ways to manage infant teething issues.