California health authorities issued a crucial advisory on Tuesday, urging consumers to steer clear of certain popular snack items following tests that revealed high concentrations of thallium, a toxic metal linked to serious health issues.
The California Department of Public Health identified a range of Brad’s Plant Based products, including Crunchy Kale, Salad Snacks, and Veggie Chips, which are available at prominent retailers throughout Southern California and other regions of the state.
The affected products encompass various flavors such as Brad’s Crunchy Kale Original, Vampire Killer, Cheeze It Up, Nacho, and Radical Ranch, along with Brad’s Balsamic and Ranch Salad Snacks and Brad’s Veggie Chips Kale varieties.
State health officials have issued a blanket advisory against consuming any of Brad’s kale snack offerings, following alarming thallium levels detected in several batches tested.
“While it is rare, extremely high thallium levels in foods can lead to hair loss, numbness, and pain in the extremities, as well as gastrointestinal disturbances and cardiac issues,” the department warned in an official statement.
The investigation was initiated back in January after authorities examined a case involving an individual with elevated thallium levels, who had reported consuming Brad’s kale snacks, according to the CDPH.
Laboratory testing later detected elevated amounts of the toxic metal in product samples taken from Sacramento-area retail stores.
The products are distributed by Snack Right Super Foods Inc. and Bradâs Raw Chips LLC, state officials said.
CDPH said the manufacturer was asked to voluntarily recall the products, but the items remain available for sale.
California officials urged customers to throw the snacks away or return them to stores for refunds. Retailers were also advised to pull the products from shelves.
The department said it is coordinating with the US Food and Drug Administration and Pennsylvania officials because the products are shipped from Pennsylvania and contain ingredients labeled as products of Mexico
