Health Canada warns that products sold by A1 Herbal Ayurvedic Clinic… — recall 58631

Reported risk: 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. This Advisory is also available on request in Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi.