Written by Amara Pereira, CNN
Health Canada has launched a recall of a fabric garment sold by online retailer Shein after the company became aware of elevated levels of lead in the production material.
The US Food and Drug Administration has also joined the probe and is investigating whether the toddler coat was responsible for the contaminated component, the Canadian retailer said.
Health Canada, the country’s health regulatory agency, confirmed to CNN that Shein had notified it that the garment had been recalled for “adverse impact” on consumers.
Shein stopped selling the garment on Wednesday and the garment itself was not in stock as of press time. A Shein representative added the company was temporarily suspending purchases of textiles from China.
Consumers who purchased the garment from Shein between December 20 and 24 are being asked to return it for a full refund.
Health Canada said Shein received information indicating the garment did not meet a lead limit set by the agency. Lead is a toxic metal found in paint and other materials.
Shein said it believed the problem was with the fabric dye used on the jacket and had taken corrective measures to the rest of its production system in order to ensure nothing similar occurs again.
The company added that it did not believe the same issues were present in the retailer’s “current and future offerings.”
The Canadian retailer was founded in 2009 and operates online and brick-and-mortar stores in Canada and the United States.
Shein is not the first online retailer to be accused of deceiving customers about lead levels.
In 2016, more than 1,000 children’s clothes and accessories sold by several online retailers, including Shoes.com, H&M, and Urban Outfitters, were recalled after high levels of lead were found in the products.