Public Health Warns Consumers Not to Eat Brad’s Plant Based Products
Elevated thallium levels in Brad’s Plant Based Crunchy Kale and Salad Snack products pose health risk
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is advising consumers to avoid certain Brad’s Plant Based Crunchy Kale and Salad Snack products after laboratory testing detected elevated levels of thallium. Exposure to high levels of thallium may cause serious health effects.
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) investigation began in January 2026 after a report involving an individual with elevated thallium levels. Their staff investigated foods consumed by this person, including Brad’s Plant Based kale products. Samples of products collected from retail grocery stores tested positive for concerning levels of thallium in multiple product varieties.
According to CDPH’s May 19 press release, the manufacturer had been notified of the elevated thallium levels but had not
The products are distributed by Snack Right Super Foods, Inc., and Brad’s Raw Chips, LLC, and are sold at major retailers in Los Angeles County and across California.
The following products tested positive for elevated thallium levels:
- Brad’s Crunchy Kale Original
- Brad’s Crunchy Kale Vampire Killer
- Brad’s Balsamic Salad Snack
- Brad’s Ranch Salad Snack
- Brad’s Crunchy Kale Cheeze It Up
- Brad’s Crunchy Kale Nacho
- Brad’s Crunchy Kale Radical Ranch
- Brad’s Veggie Chips Kale
Consumers are urged not to consume any Brad’s brand kale products due to the elevated levels of thallium detected across multiple tested lots.
The products are distributed from Pennsylvania and labeled with ingredients identified as “Product of Mexico.” As part of an ongoing investigation, CDPH is coordinating with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Pennsylvania state officials.
What Consumers and Retailers Should Do
Consumers should not eat the listed Brad’s Plant Based products. Products should be discarded or returned to the place of purchase to request a refund.
Retailers are advised to immediately remove these products from store shelves and discontinue sales to consumers.
What is thallium?
Thallium is a naturally occurring trace metal that may be found in soil. People can be exposed through consumption of fruits and vegetables grown in contaminated soil. Although uncommon, exposure to high levels of thallium may cause serious health effects, including:
- Hair loss
- Numbness or pain in the hands and feet
- Gastrointestinal symptoms
- Heart-related complications
Anyone experiencing symptoms after consuming these products should contact a health care provider.
