Possible thallium contamination leads to recall of about 25,000 bags of Brad's kale snacks

A nationwide recall has been announced for about 25,000 bags of Brad's Raw Chips kale snacks after concerns that the products may contain thallium, a toxic metal associated with serious health risks such as nerve damage and hair loss.

What consumers should know

The recalled items have best-by dates ranging from December 2026 through February 2027. According to NTD, the affected products are select 3-ounce packages of Brad's Veggie Chips Kale and 2-ounce packages of Brad's Plant Based Crunchy Kale.

The recall covers Crunchy Kale varieties including Original, Cheeze It Up, and Radical Ranch. These products were distributed nationwide through KeHE Distributors and United Natural Foods Inc. between October and December 2025.

Brad's began the recall after the Food and Drug Administration informed the company that product testing had found thallium. The California investigation started after a report from an individual with elevated thallium levels.

Additional context

Brad's says the metal was not introduced during manufacturing. The company noted that dehydrating kale removes about 85% to 90% of its water, which can increase the concentration of elements already present in the plant.

Soil may be one source of the elements absorbed by kale and similar crops, NTD reported.

Symptoms of thallium poisoning can include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Other possible effects include heart problems, pain or numbness in the extremities, nerve damage, and hair loss.

Typical environmental exposure to thallium is below levels known to cause harm. Tests of hair, blood, or urine can be used to measure thallium levels.

What to do now

Consumers can identify the recalled packages by matching the best-by date, lot number, UPC, size, and flavor with the recall details.

UPC 813104021679 identifies the recalled 2-ounce Original Crunchy Kale packages. The affected lots, listed by best-by date, are 35125-2 for Feb. 17, 2027; 34525-1 for Feb. 11, 2027; and 33525-1, 33525-2, and 33525-3 for Feb. 1, 2027.

A best-by date of Dec. 21, 2026, and lot 29425-1 identify the affected 2-ounce Radical Ranch Crunchy Kale, UPC 813104020726. The recalled 2-ounce Cheeze It Up Crunchy Kale, UPC 813104021877, has a Feb. 16, 2027, best-by date and lot 35025-3.

For the recalled 3-ounce Veggie Chips Kale, look for UPC 854615002054 and these best-by date and lot combinations: Feb. 1, 2027, with 33525-1; Jan. 30, 2027, with 33425-1; Jan. 29, 2027, with 33325-2; or Jan. 28, 2027, with 33225-3.

A high thallium reading from a urine or hair test does not prove that health problems will develop, but anyone who believes they may have become ill after eating the recalled snacks should seek medical advice.

About 2,097 cases of the affected products remain in commerce.

Related recalls

Other recent food recalls have involved produce, eggs, garlic-infused oil, and tofu.

• Across the United States, lettuce, jalapeños, and eggs continue to appear on recall lists amid bacterial and parasitic outbreaks.

• Garlic-infused olive oil sold in Ohio and online was recalled over unapproved garlic oil.

• In New York, a tofu recall topped 10,000 cases over possible ink contamination.