Some Brad's Crunchy Kale and Veggie Chips Recalled Due to Heavy Metal Contamination
The snacks have elevated levels of thallium, according to the California Department of Public Health
Four varieties of Brad’s Crunchy Kale and Veggie chips were recalled by the manufacturer, Snack Right Super Foods, because they could be contaminated with thallium, a heavy metal that can be harmful if it accumulates in your body over time. Recalled products were sold in stores nationwide, including at Whole Foods, and online.
Thallium toxicity can cause hair loss, numbness and pain in the feet and hands, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and heart problems, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Recalled Brad's Crunchy Snacks
| Product name, size | UPC | Lot(s) | Best Buy date(s) |
| Brad's Crunchy Kale, Original, 2 oz bag | 813104021679 | 33525-1, 33525-2 and 33525-3 | Feb. 1, 2027, |
| 34525-1 | Feb. 11, 2027 | ||
| 35125-2 | Feb. 17, 2027 | ||
| Brad's Crunchy Kale, Cheeze It Up, 2 oz bag | 813104021877 | 35025-3 | Feb. 16, 2027 |
| Brad's Crunchy Kale, Radical Ranch, 2 oz bag | 813104020726 | 29425-1 | Dec. 21, 2026 |
| Brad's Veggie Chips Kale, 3 oz bag | 854615002054 | 33225-3 | Jan. 28, 2027 |
| 33325-2 | Jan. 29, 2027 | ||
33425-1 | Jan. 30, 2027 | ||
| 33525-1 | Feb. 1, 2027 |
Photo: Brad's Raw Chips Photo: Brad's Raw Chips
These additional products were cited in the CDPH’s alert, though additional information about lot codes and expiration dates was not provided:
Brad’s Crunchy Kale Vampire Killer
Brad’s Balsamic Salad Snack
Brad’s Ranch Salad Snack
Brad’s Crunchy Kale Nacho
If you have any of these items, throw them away. The company is not offering a refund. Contact Snack Right Super Foods with questions by email, Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. EST.
The thallium contamination was discovered after a consumer alerted California public health officials to an elevated level of thallium in their urine. The CDPH said in its release that after receiving the consumer complaint it collected samples at retail stores in the Sacramento area, tested the products, and found elevated thallium levels in multiple varieties of the product. CDPH told CR that the consumer reported eating Brad’s kale chips almost daily for over a year.
The Risks of Thallium
Thallium is a naturally occurring metal found in soil and water and can also contaminate the environment through the burning of coal and the production of cement. It can be absorbed by plants growing in the ground (as well as by fish in lakes or the ocean). The FDA’s release states that plants such as kale are known to accumulate certain elements, such as thallium, from soil.
The dehydration process used to make the recalled snacks removed most of the water from kale and other vegetables, leaving behind a concentrated amount of thallium, according to the FDA’s release.
If you have symptoms of thallium toxicity, contact your doctor to obtain a hair or urine test.
Because kids might eat these snacks, James E. Rogers, PhD, director of food safety testing at CR, reminds parents that it’s important to feed children a variety of foods, as they can be especially vulnerable to contaminated products. “Switch up the foods children eat to avoid overconsumption of any one food or spice,” he says.
When possible, you can also minimize your family’s exposure to heavy metals by testing your water for lead and arsenic and, if levels are high, installing a water filter. For babies and young children, see CR’s advice on choosing formulas and baby foods low in heavy metals.
