California Gold Nutrition Multivitamin Child Iron Poisoning Lawsuit Lawyers

What Parents and Consumers Need to Know About the Dangerous Packaging Defect Behind the Recall

More than 60,000 bottles of California Gold Nutrition women’s multivitamins have been recalled across the United States due to a critical packaging flaw that may put young children at risk of iron poisoning. Sold online by major retailers such as Amazon, Walmart, and Target between January 2019 and April 2025, these vitamins violated the Poison Prevention Packaging Act by failing to include required child-resistant packaging. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warns that this defect poses a significant hazard, particularly in homes with small children.

Although no injuries have been reported yet, the threat remains real. These vitamins contain iron, which, when ingested in excessive amounts by children, can result in severe toxicity or even fatal poisoning. Parents who believe their children may have been exposed to these supplements need to take immediate action, including disposing of the product and seeking legal guidance if harm has occurred.

Why This Recall Matters: A Violation of Federal Safety Law

Federal law requires that products containing iron be packaged in child-resistant containers. The reason for this is simple: iron overdose is one of the leading causes of unintentional poisoning deaths in children under age 6. A small handful of iron-containing tablets can be lethal to a young child if consumed in one sitting.

The California Gold Nutrition products at issue failed to meet these federal safety standards. The three recalled multivitamin products include:

• Daily Prenatal Multivitamin (Batch Codes: 2307050A, 2404096A, 2411100A)
• Ultamins Women’s Multivitamin (Batch Codes: V0532, V0533)
• Ultamins Women’s 50+ Multivitamin (Batch Codes: V0534, V0536)

The expiration dates range between August 2025 and November 2026, meaning these supplements may still be sitting in medicine cabinets, diaper bags, or kitchen counters throughout the country. What makes this risk even more dangerous is that many people assume vitamins are harmless. However, when improperly packaged, they can become deadly for children.

Understanding the Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA)

The PPPA was enacted in 1970 to prevent accidental poisonings among children by mandating child-resistant packaging for certain household substances, including iron supplements. It requires packaging that is difficult for children under five years of age to open or obtain a harmful amount of the contents within a reasonable time.

When manufacturers bypass this safety protocol, they not only endanger the public but also open themselves up to liability. Violations of the PPPA can form the basis for civil lawsuits, especially in cases where children are injured or killed due to non-compliant packaging.

This recall is a clear case of non-compliance. Even though iHerb has initiated a voluntary recall and refund process, families should not bear the burden of unsafe manufacturing and packaging decisions. If a child has ingested any of these recalled vitamins, urgent medical and legal help should be sought.

Symptoms of Iron Poisoning in Children

Iron poisoning symptoms can develop quickly and often become severe within hours. If your child has consumed an iron-containing vitamin from a recalled bottle, look for the following signs:

• Vomiting (sometimes with blood)
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Lethargy or weakness
• Rapid heartbeat
• Seizures
• Coma

These symptoms are medical emergencies. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately if you suspect a child has ingested iron supplements.

Even if a child seems fine initially, iron poisoning can have delayed effects, including damage to the liver, heart, and central nervous system. Medical evaluation and blood testing are crucial in all suspected cases.

What to Do If You Have the Recalled Product

If you find one of the recalled California Gold Nutrition bottles in your possession:

1. Do not continue using the product.
2. Immediately remove it from areas accessible to children.
3. Follow the CPSC guidelines for submitting a refund request:
   • Email ProductRecall@iherb.com with the subject line: “Iron Supplement Refund.”
   • Include your name, product(s) and quantity, photo of product destruction (with initials and date).
   • Optionally include your original order number.

While the manufacturer is offering refunds, families should be aware that this does not release the company from legal responsibility if injuries have occurred.

Legal Options for Families Affected by Unsafe Supplements

When a product recall occurs due to a safety defect, consumers have legal rights. In the case of these recalled multivitamins, a manufacturer may be held liable for:

• Manufacturing and distributing a dangerous product
• Failing to use proper packaging despite knowing the product contained iron
• Violating federal safety laws

Families whose children were hospitalized or treated for iron poisoning caused by a recalled supplement may be entitled to compensation. This includes reimbursement for medical bills, pain and suffering, and in tragic cases, wrongful death.

Additionally, even families whose children were not physically harmed may have claims for emotional distress and consumer fraud, depending on the circumstances.

A Preventable Tragedy: Holding Manufacturers Accountable

Child-resistant packaging laws were created to prevent exactly this type of incident. A failure to follow those laws is not simply a mistake; it’s a preventable hazard that puts lives at risk. Parents trust that vitamins sold by major retailers will be safe and properly packaged. When those expectations are broken, accountability is necessary.

This case highlights the need for strong product liability laws, swift recalls, and proper legal advocacy for victims. A product recall should not be the end of the story when it involves preventable exposure to poisoning risks. Parents deserve answers, and negligent manufacturers must be held accountable.

Contact Parker Waichman LLP For a Free Case Review

If your child suffered iron poisoning or was exposed to a recalled California Gold Nutrition multivitamin, you may be entitled to compensation. Our legal team at Parker Waichman LLP is actively investigating claims related to this serious recall. We understand how terrifying it is to discover that something you trusted for your family’s health could put your child in danger. Do not wait to protect your legal rights.

Call Parker Waichman LLP today for a free consultation at 1-800-YOUR-LAWYER (1-800-968-7529). Your case matters. Let us fight for the justice and accountability your family deserves. Regardless of your location or where your injury occurred, our nationwide product injury law firm is ready to assist you.