In the wake of the crisis in Japan, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is advising consumers to beware of inadvertently buying fake iodide products that are supposed to help protect against radiation.
“We’re alerting consumers to be wary of products that falsely claim to prevent radiation and protect consumers, or are not FDA-approved,” said an FDA spokesperson.
The demand for potassium iodide in the U.S. has spiked as the situation in Japan has worsened, she said. But health experts say there’s no need for U.S. consumers to stock up on potassium iodide.
Products to watch out for include fake tablets and liquids purporting to be iodide, as well as dietary supplements and other products that say they protect against radiation, said the spokesperson.
The agency added information about radiation safety on its website that includes more details about what to beware of before buying iodide products.
There are only three FDA-approved potassium iodide products that protect against radiation. The agency’s website identifies them as Iosat, made by Anbex; ThyroSafe from Recipharm AB; and ThyroShield from Fleming & Co.
Parija Kavilanz, cnn
