Amazon recalls Blueroot Health iron vitamins over child-safety packaging

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a recall of roughly 4,700 bottles of Blueroot Health's Bariatric Fusion iron multivitamins sold on Amazon, after determining the packaging does not meet federal child-resistant requirements under the Poison Prevention Packaging Act. The agency said the cap design is the primary flaw: it lacks embossed ``push down and turn'' instructions and has a smooth top, making it easier for children to access the contents. No incidents or injuries have been reported to date, according to the CPSC.

The recall covers two Blueroot Health products: Bariatric Fusion High ADEK capsules in 90-count and 270-count bottles, and One Per Day bariatric multivitamin capsules in 90-count. Each bottle contains 45 milligrams of iron per serving. These items were sold for about $23 to $57 between January and June 2024 through Amazon, Blueroot Health's website, and other online retailers. Consumers who purchased the affected bottles are urged to secure them out of reach of children immediately and contact Blueroot Health for a free child-resistant replacement cap that complies with PPPA requirements.

The Poison Prevention Packaging Act, enacted in 1970 and enforced by the CPSC, requires child-resistant packaging for a broad range of hazardous products to reduce accidental ingestions by children under five. The law covers many medications and dietary supplements containing iron, as well as a wide array of household chemicals. The CPSC emphasized that the design flaw in Blueroot Health's caps is the key reason for the recall, illustrating how packaging can be as critical as product safety in preventing harm.

Since the PPPA's passage, safety advocates attribute a substantial decline in poisonings and related fatalities among children. The annual number of poison-related deaths among children has fallen from 216 in 1972 to about 31 per year in recent years, a trend the agency attributes to mandatory child-resistant packaging, warning labels, and safer consumer-product designs. Iron poisoning, in particular, is a fast-acting medical emergency: ingesting iron in high doses can rapidly damage the gastrointestinal tract, leading to symptoms such as severe vomiting (often with blood), diarrhea, abdominal pain, lethargy, and, in extreme cases, shock, liver damage, and organ failure."

Industry observers note that the recall highlights ongoing scrutiny of online sales channels for safety compliance, as more consumer products move through marketplaces like Amazon. Blueroot Health says it will replace the caps at no cost and urges customers to transfer any affected tablets into the new containers once they receive the replacement caps. Consumers with questions are advised to contact Blueroot Health directly for guidance and to verify eligibility for the replacement caps.