April 3, 2012 10.51 am This story is over 142 months old

Trading Standards warns of deadly recalled bracelet

Poisonous bangle: Trading Standards are warning people about a popular bean bracelet that could cause severe reactions if worn.

Lincolnshire Trading Standards is warning residents about a recalled bracelet due to the bangle containing potentially deadly seeds from a plant.

The red and black bracelets, which are popular with school children, contain the Jequirity bean — a tropical seed containing a lethal toxin called abrin.

While Trading Standards does not believe the bracelet was on sale in the county, officers are concerned residents my have bought one elsewhere or online.

Ian Newell from Lincolnshire Trading Standards said: “The product is a strung seed bracelet which comes from Peru. The seeds are laced into the string and are highly toxic.

“If you have one, please return it to the shop immediately.

“And if you think you’ve seen them on sale in Lincolnshire, please contact Trading Standards on 01522 782341 or [email protected].”

The bracelet can cause hive-like symptoms, abscesses, hallucinations and in worst cases even death, however it is yet to be the determined the strength in each seed.

Anyone who owns a bracelet is being advised to bag up the item and contact the shop it was bought from. After touching the bracelet, residents should wash their hands and avoid touching their eyes.

Retailers can then contact the supplier and arrange for the item to be collected and disposed of.

Source: Lincolnshire County Council | Photo: Etsy