When she was pregnant, Adama Maweja remembers passing by Atlanta's Morehouse College campus while construction was under way and focusing on a mound of red clay. "My mouth watered," she said.

Maweja yearned to eat the clay. This craving had haunted her since childhood, and she succumbed to it during pregnancy. Now, 26 years after delivering a healthy baby boy, Maweja, who lives in Fulton County, still consumes about 12 ounces of red clay each day.

Alexander Acosta/aacosta@ajc.com (ENLARGE)

Adama Maweja consults a visitor about the benefits of eating healthy and recommends the consumption of a special type of clay.

Alexander Acosta/aacosta@ajc.com (ENLARGE)

Some buy red clay that comes from outside Georgia, while others consume white kaolin, which comes from Perry.

The practice of eating clay or dirt has been ridiculed throughout the years, but it's actually a medical condition called pica. Though it most often affects children, women also may develop unusual cravings during pregnancy.

People who eat clay should not be stereotyped, said Dr. R. Kevin Grigsby, professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Pennsylvania State College of Medicine, formerly at the Medical College of Georgia. Grigsby encountered people who ate kaolin, a white form of clay, during his work in Georgia.

"They were told by their mothers and neighbors that it would take away the cravings of pregnancy," he said. "These folks should not be seen as illiterate, less educated or foolish. The original purpose of eating kaolin during pregnancy is reasonable — it does reduce cravings."

At the Sweet Auburn Curb Market in downtown Atlanta, Ziploc sandwich bags filled with white chunks of kaolin sit behind produce at one vendor and next to cigarettes and over-the-counter medications at another. A 1-pound bag costs $1.49.

There are regular customers who come to buy kaolin, said Susan Amey, who has worked at the market for 20 years. "They come in and compare prices like anything else they'd purchase. They say there's a difference in the taste between one brand versus another."

This issue came to the attention of Dr. George Johnson, a retired obstetrician in Macon, when he reviewed the dietary habits of his pregnant patients with extreme anemia and found one common theme — they were all eating kaolin. One of Johnson's patients ate so much that it ruptured her colon.

"It was my impression that this was adventurism and pure foolishness, especially given the significant consequences for pregnant mothers," Johnson said.

Earth eating

Kaolin is naturally found in Middle Georgia and has a number of industrial uses, leading to its nickname of "white gold." It was formerly the key ingredient in the anti-diarrhea medicine Kaopectate. It can cause anemia by binding to iron and preventing its absorption.

The term pica comes from the Latin word for magpie, a type of bird known to eat just about anything. People with pica may eat everything from freezer frost to metal coins. The specific practice of eating clay or soil is called geophagia, or "earth eating."

Kaolin is one type of clay. There are other types with different mineral compositions. When eaten, some may have had historical benefit by absorbing plant toxins and supplementing dietary calcium and iron, said Susan Allport, a science writer who covers nutritional topics.

A possible effect specific to pregnancy is alleviating nausea, according to Melinda Johnson, a registered dietitian and spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association.

However, she and other health professionals do not recommend eating clay, especially since soil can easily be contaminated with toxic or infectious materials.

"The dangers of doing it outweigh the benefit of getting a couple minerals that you could get in other ways," Johnson said. "When you're eating clay, it's taking the place of food."

While the cause of pica is unknown, studies have linked it with nutrient deficiencies, particularly in iron. Restoring any underlying deficiency is often the first step in medical treatment. Physicians also may choose a multidisciplinary approach involving therapists and other health care providers to help patients with pica, said Dr. Djana Harp, an obstetrician at Morehouse School of Medicine.

Maweja said she has not had any health problems from eating red clay. She attests to its benefits in her holistic consultations and weekly Atlanta radio show that focuses on the health of the mind, body and spirit.

"It's part of our inheritance. It's in our DNA. The clays help restore the natural balance in our bodies and bring us in tune with Mother Earth and all of her creatures," Maweja said.

Georgia distributors

Maweja's red clay comes from a West Coast distributor, but there are several kaolin distributors in Georgia.

"We sell kaolin for personal use, and we're under the understanding that people will do with it what they want," said Brad Felker, who distributes white clay from Perry. His product has a disclaimer on the label that says it is not meant for human consumption.

Felker distributes to local stores and sells online in quantities divided into 5-ounce bags. He ships orders to clients across the country and has had to decline international orders due to shipping costs. In the past year, his business has sold between 10 and 20 tons of kaolin.

Y.E. Kim, the owner of a store that sells kaolin, says the practice is not unique to the South.

"My mother-in-law coming from Korea brought some Korean dirt with her. If she wasn't feeling good, she would eat it. It's the same thing here — it's just a tradition," Kim said.

In 1993, Dr. George Johnson started a campaign in Macon to try to get people to stop eating kaolin, which included a public service announcement that aired on a local television station.

"I don't think any grocery stores ended up withdrawing their products," Johnson said. "And the public Health Department has so many more important items to address."

The Georgia Division of Public Health is aware that some pregnant women may eat kaolin. It screens for anemia and pica as part of the Women, Infants and Children, or WIC, program.

"I do not believe that we are able to regulate the sale of kaolin or similar products, as they are not marketed for human consumption," said Taka Wiley, spokeswoman for the Georgia Department of Human Resources.