Advisory - Health Canada warns that products sold by A1 Herbal Ayurvedic Clinic Ltd. may pose serious health risks

OTTAWA, /CNW/ -

Issue
Health Canada is warning Canadians that Ayurvedic products sold by A1 Herbal Ayurvedic Clinic Ltd. may pose serious health risks.

Health Canada inspectors have seized products, ingredients and equipment from A1 Herbal Ayurvedic Clinic Ltd. in Surrey, British Columbia (31-8430, 128 Street), and from an affiliated clinic in Brampton, Ontario (11-351 Parkhurst Square). The seizures came after the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control informed Health Canada of a case of heavy metal toxicity involving a patient who was using products from the Surrey clinic. Laboratory testing identified lead and mercury in the products. Lead and mercury are heavy metals that may pose serious health risks when consumed in excessive amounts. Children, pregnant women and breastfeeding women are most susceptible to the toxic effects of heavy metals.

Selling unauthorized health products is illegal in Canada. Health Canada had previously cancelled all of A1 Herbal’s natural health product licences. None of the seized health products are authorized for sale by Health Canada. Unauthorized health products have not been assessed by Health Canada for safety, effectiveness and quality.

A1 Herbal was also found to be operating without the necessary Health Canada license. Operating without the required licence is a serious contravention. A site licence indicates that a company has processes and procedures in place that meet Health Canada’s requirements to track and recall health products. The licence also indicates that the company is manufacturing, packaging and labelling products in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practices (a standard that helps to ensure the quality of health products sold to Canadians).

Health Canada is considering further actions and will inform Canadians as needed should any new health risks be identified.

Ayurvedic medicinal products are used in traditional Indian healing practice and are often imported from India. Improper manufacturing processes may result in dangerously high levels of heavy metals in the final product.

Health Canada reminds consumers who choose to use Ayurvedic medicinal products that some of these products may contain high levels of heavy metals. Consuming excessive amounts of heavy metals may pose serious health risks because they may accumulate in vital organs.

Who is affected

• Consumers who have bought or used Ayurvedic products from A1 Herbal Ayurvedic Clinic Ltd., including through its website.

Affected products

• All Ayurvedic products sold at A1 Herbal Ayurvedic Clinic Ltd., including through its website.

What consumers should do

• Stop using A1 Herbal Ayurvedic products. Consult your health care professional if you have used any of these products and have health concerns.
• Read product labels to verify that health products have been authorized for sale by Health Canada. Authorized health products have an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN), Natural Product Number (NPN) or Homeopathic Drug Number (DIN-HM). You can also check whether products have been authorized for sale by searching Health Canada’s Drug Product Database and Licensed Natural Health Product Database.
• Report any health product-related adverse reactions or complaints to Health Canada.

What Health Canada is doing
Health Canada has seized all products, ingredients and equipment from the Surrey and Brampton clinics and is testing products. The Department is working closely with the local health authorities to share information and coordinate efforts on clinic inspections and product testing. Specific to the Brampton location, the Region of Peel – Public Health continues to investigate on-site services and intends to respond accordingly to any additional health hazards that come to light. Health Canada has been working with federal regulatory partners, including the Canada Border Services Agency, to help prevent the importation of these products. Should additional safety concerns be identified, Health Canada will take appropriate action and inform Canadians as necessary.

Background
Lead is a heavy metal that poses serious health risks. Ingestion of excessive amounts of lead may result in an accumulation of the metal in vital organs of the body. Children, pregnant women and breastfeeding women are most susceptible to the toxic effects of heavy metals. The toxic effects of lead include abdominal pain, anemia, changes in blood pressure, reproductive disorders such as miscarriage, weakness, concentration problems, weight loss, insomnia, dizziness, and kidney and brain damage.

Mercury is a heavy metal that poses serious health risks. Ingestion of excessive amounts of mercury may result in an accumulation of the metal in vital organs of the body. Children, pregnant women and breastfeeding women are most susceptible to the toxic effects of heavy metals. The toxic effects of mercury include irritability, tremors, memory loss, insomnia, concentration problems, and kidney and brain damage.

Related links

• Advisory (2008-05-08): Health Canada Reminds Consumers That Some Ayurvedic Medicinal Products Contain High Levels of Heavy Metals

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SOURCE Health Canada