Recommendation on chemical contaminants in mineral clay

In recent years the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (VWA) has analysed a number of mineral clay products intended for internal use. These products are various sorts of clay for use by pregnant women and intestinal cleansing clays. The mineral clay products have been analysed for the presence of dioxins and/or (heavy) metals. On the basis of the results, the VWA has carried out further investigations.
Using the results of this survey, the Office for Risk Assessment has assessed the health risk for the consumer and unborn children. This has led to the following recommendations:
-    As all the types of pregnancy clay that were analysed can have negative effects for pregnant mothers and their unborn children, the consumption of this clay is strongly advised against. Given the user market for these products a package of measures is required to effectively ensure that these products are not consumed.
-    The repeated or long-term use of intestinal cleansing products that contain contaminated clay is advised against. As not all of these products pose a health risk for short-term use, retailers can prevent unnecessary exposure to contaminants by offering the correct choice of products to customers.