E&J Brandy just announced a voluntary recall of a number of its stainless steel brandy flasks after laboratory tests revealed that brandy stored in these flasks, under specific conditions, could indicate elevated lead levels, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just wrote. Lead is a toxic heavy metal linked to a broad range of […]
E&J Brandy just announced a voluntary recall of a number of its stainless steel brandy flasks after laboratory tests revealed that brandy stored in these flasks, under specific conditions, could indicate elevated lead levels, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just wrote. Lead is a toxic heavy metal linked to a broad range of serious adverse health effects.
The FDA is advising consumers to immediately stop using the stainless steel flask sold in E&J® VSOP gift sets in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010 and in E&J® XO gift sets sold in 2006. This voluntary recall pertains only to stainless steel flasks manufactured for E&J Brandy.
Symptoms of Lead Poisoning are not always immediately evident and are often difficult to identify. Exposure to lead in children and unborn children can lead to brain and nervous system damage, behavioral and learning problems, slowed growth, hearing problems, headaches, mental and physical retardation, and behavioral and other health problems. Of particular concern is the developing brain because negative influences can have long-lasting effects and can continue well into puberty and beyond.
Once poisoned, no organ system is immune.
Lead is also known to cause cancer and reproductive harm and, in adults, can damage the nervous system.
Children with lead poisoning may experience irritability, sleeplessness or excess lethargy, poor appetite, headaches, abdominal pain with or without vomiting “generally without diarrhea” and constipation, and changes in activity level. A child with lead toxicity can be iron deficient and pale because of anemia and can be either hyperactive or lethargic. Lead exposure and poisoning can show up dentally, for instance, lead lines on gingival tissue.
In adults there may be motor problems and an increase in depressive disorders, aggressive behavior, and other maladaptive affective disorders as well as problems with sexual performance, impotence and infertility, and sleep disorders; they may be over-sleeping or have difficulty falling asleep.
The recall does not pertain to any bottles of E&J Brandy.
Affected flasks included in the 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 E&J® VSOP gift sets are silver, rectangular in shape, and have the words “E&J” VSOP etched on the front. Affected flasks included in the 2006 E&J® XO gift sets are silver and round in shape with “E&J” etched on the front. The sets were sold in the United States at a variety of retail stores, with some being sold only this past holiday season. Also, some flasks in leather cases were given out promotionally in 2007.
Consumers with the recalled steel flasks should call the firm’s consumer recall hotline, toll-free, at 1.866.959.8477 at any time, for instructions on product return and refund.
The brandy contained in the gift set is unaffected and may be safely consumed; however, any brandy or other liquid in the flask should not be consumed.
