Iron-poisoning prevention

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed regulations requiring stronger warning labels and child-resistant packaging for iron pills.

FDA proposals would require unit-dose packaging for iron pills or capsules containing 30 mg or more of iron each (such as prenatal iron products). These "blister packs" would be designed to limit children's access to large numbers of tablets or capsules.

FDA has also proposed that a new warning statement be prominently placed on all solid, oral-dosage products containing elemental iron or iron salts. Labels would warn adults to secure child-resistant closures, keep iron products in their original containers, store them out of reach of children and seek immediate medical attention in case of accidental poisoning.

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