Online retail giant Amazon has been forced to issue an urgent recall for a range of vitamins sold through its marketplace after they were found to contain potentially lethal levels of toxic minerals.
The alarming discovery was made by officials, who identified that certain batches of the supplements contained dangerously high concentrations of selenium and chromium. Ingesting these substances in such quantities can lead to severe poisoning, with symptoms including organ damage, neurological issues, and in the most serious cases, death.
What Products Are Affected?
The recall specifically targets vitamins sold under the brand name 'YourLife'. The affected products include:
- YourLife Multivitamin Multimineral Supplement
- YourLife Vitamin B Complex
Consumers are urged to immediately stop using these products and check the batch codes provided in the official recall notice on Amazon's website.
What Are The Dangers?
Excessive intake of selenium, a mineral essential in tiny amounts, can cause selenosis. This condition presents with symptoms such as:
- Brittle hair and nails
- Skin rashes and lesions
- Nausea and diarrhoea
- Neurological abnormalities
- In extreme cases, respiratory distress, kidney failure, or heart attack
Similarly, an overdose of chromium can lead to severe health complications, including liver and kidney damage.
What Should You Do?
If you have purchased any of the identified products, you are advised to:
- Cease consumption immediately.
- Return the product to Amazon for a full refund.
- Consult a healthcare professional if you have any health concerns after taking the vitamins.
Amazon has stated it is directly contacting all known purchasers of the affected batches. The company has also removed the listings from its UK site to prevent further sales.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of regulating third-party sellers on major online marketplaces and serves as a critical reminder for consumers to exercise caution when purchasing health supplements online.
