Health Canada, Oct 28, 2008
2008-168
October 28, 2008
Advisory
Health Canada Warns Consumers not to use two vitamin C supplements due to potential health risk
OTTAWA - Health Canada is warning Canadians, especially
expectant mothers, not to use two vitamin C products sold under the brand names
New Roots Herbal Vitamin C8 and Vitazan Professional Vitamin C Advanced
Ascorbate. These products were improperly manufactured using vitamin A instead
of vitamin C, exposing consumers to potential risks of adverse events.
Capsules may also contain excessively high doses of vitamin A. The maximum
recommended daily dosage for vitamin A without a prescription is 10,000
International Units (IU). Consumers taking two capsules of the affected products
daily as suggested on the product label, or more, may exceed this amount and
could be at risk of serious health effects. Symptoms of vitamin A overdose
include headaches, fatigue, appetite loss, nausea and diarrhea. Women in the
early months of pregnancy who take excessive doses of vitamin A risk serious
birth defects in their unborn children.
Canadian manufacturer, New Roots Herbal, has initiated a Canada-wide recall
of the two affected lots, which are indicated on the label as LOT 2689 (exp.
08/2012) and LOT 9719 (exp. 01/2012).
The vitamin supplements come packaged in bottles of 90 or 180 capsules.
Canadians who have the affected products are advised to immediately
discontinue use and consult their health care professional if they have related
health concerns. Consumers should return the products to the point of purchase
or the manufacturer for safe disposal.
No adverse reactions related to these products have been reported in Canada.
Health Canada will be working with the manufacturer to determine where the
products were distributed in Canada and to ensure they are immediately removed
from the market.
Drugs and natural health products that are authorized for sale in Canada will
have an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN), a Natural Product Number
(NPN) or a Homeopathic Medicine Number (DIN-HM) on the label. These numbers
indicate that the products have been assessed by Health Canada for safety,
effectiveness and quality.
The text in this article was prepared by Health Canada.