** In NS, this mostly applies to online purchases.
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.
A1 Herbal was also found to be operating without the necessary Health Canada license. Operating without the required licence is a serious contravention.
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.
Consuming excessive amounts of heavy metals may pose serious health risks because they may accumulate in vital organs.
Products affected
All Ayurvedic products sold at A1 Herbal Ayurvedic Clinic Ltd., including through its
website.
Who is affected
Consumers who have bought or used Ayurvedic products from A1 Herbal Ayurvedic Clinic Ltd., including through its
website.
What you 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.
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.
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Source : Release / Health Canada
