Lead Levels Trigger Rheumacare Capsule Joint Pain Supplements Recall

E-commerce company reported it has received 'one adverse event complaint related to this recall.'

Published: 12/24/2025, 11:47:54 PM EST

Lead Levels Trigger Rheumacare Capsule Joint Pain Supplements Recall — The recalled Rheumacare Capsules joint pain supplements include the lots CAM040 and CALO79-N. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

A company statement posted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a nationwide recall of two lots of Rheumacare Capsules on Dec. 22, following federal testing that uncovered dangerously high lead levels in the joint pain supplement.

Testing revealed the capsules contained lead at levels as high as 11,100 parts per billion (ppm)—far above safety limits.

The recalled Rheumacare Capsules—distributed and sold by e-commerce business Handelnine Global Limited, which is doing business as Navafresh—are for products with lot numbers CAM040 and CALO79-N, as detailed in the company's recall notice. These capsules were manufactured by Virgo UAP Pharma Pvt. Ltd. in India.

Handelnine reported it has received “one adverse event complaint related to this recall,” according to the recall notice.

The product, marketed to reduce joint pain, is packaged in white plastic containers labeled Rheumacare Capsules and was sold nationwide through the company’s website, www.navafresh.com.

Consumers are urged to stop using the product immediately. “Consumers that have product which is being recalled should stop using and discard the product immediately,” the recall said, adding that refunds will be issued to affected customers.

Handelnine said it is notifying distributors and customers by email and advised consumers who may be experiencing possible side effects to contact a physician or health care provider.

Consumers with questions can contact Handelnine by phone or email, as outlined in the recall notice.

While the FDA does not regulate lead levels in every product, it sets limits and provides guidance for certain categories, including bottled water, cosmetics, cookware, and processed foods for babies and toddlers. For example, the FDA caps lead in bottled water at 5 ppb. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which oversees public drinking water, sets a standard of 15 ppb, factoring in potential lead leaching from pipes.

“If the FDA determines that the level of lead causes the food to be unsafe, the agency will take regulatory action,” states the FDA on its Lead in Food and Foodware webpage. For certain cosmetics, it’s 10 ppm (parts per million); for cookware, there are limits on leaching; and for baby foods, it’s between 10 and 20 ppb.

Lead Health Threat

Lead is highly toxic and poses health risks to people of all ages and health conditions, according to the FDA. The harmful effects of lead-contaminated food depend on the amount of lead, a person’s age, how frequently and for how long they are exposed to the lead, and their total exposure to lead and other nutrients.

Prolonged exposure has been linked to anaemia and reproductive risks, including “increased risk of miscarriage in females and reduced fertility in males.” Acute lead toxicity can cause “seizures, coma, and death,” according to the FDA.

Lead exposure is particularly hazardous during periods of rapid brain development. High levels of lead in utero, infancy, and early childhood can result in serious neurological damage, such as learning disabilities, behavioral disorders, and lower IQ. In adults, chronic lead exposure has also been associated with kidney damage, hypertension, and impaired cognitive function.