Baby Teethers May Contain Dangerous Bacteria

Federal Drug Administration (FDA) issues warning over some gel-filled teethers.

Westmont, NJ, August 5th, 2009

According to a FDA report released last month children are at risk from some gel-filled teethers that may contain Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus circulans bacteria. Following the report a major manufacturer of teethers issued a recall on their gel-filled teethers and has ceased production and distribution of the products.

The FDA release stated that “Although these bacteria generally do not cause illness in adults, infants and children with weakened immune systems can experience stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and uncommonly more serious disease, if the teether becomes punctured and they ingest the liquid gel.”

This is not the first voluntary recall of gel-filled teethers in the United States. In 2006 another major manufacturer issued a similar recall after their gel-filled teethers were believed to potentially contain Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Pseudomonas putida bacteria.

Health Canada has also recently issued warnings and a recall over three gel-filled teethers that may be contaminated with Bacillus licheniformis or Bacillus cereus. The teethers being recalled were sold by retailers between 2001 and June 2009.

EMSL Analytical, one of the nation’s largest environmental testing laboratories, has been busy helping companies and consumers test for the contaminants. “Manufacturers, distributors, retailers and consumers should all be aware of these recalls,” reported Joe Frasca, Executive Vice President for EMSL Analytical. “The risk to small children with weakened immune systems is real and we need to do all we can to protect them,” Frasca continued.

EMSL’s network of nearly 40 laboratories in the United States and Canada have been providing quality analytical services since 1981. To learn more about consumer product testing or other testing needs please visit www.EMSL.com or call (800) 220-3675.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of consumer product, environmental, industrial hygiene, food and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

To learn more about EMSL Analytical please visit:
www.EMSL.com or www.LATesting.com, or contact EMSL at (800) 220-3675 or info@EMSL.com.

Contact Information

Joe Frasca

Senior Vice President, Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

Contact via E-mail