Further to an advisory posted in December 2007 (http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/advisories-avis/_2007/2007_179-eng.php), Health Canada is informing Canadians of additional information on Wild Vineyard products that pose a risk to health. These products, listed below, have been found to contain unacceptable levels of bacterial contamination and/or heavy metal contamination, such as lead. In addition, some of these products are inappropriately labelled.
Will's Rain Forest Clear Lung Wild Vineyard Female Wild Vineyard Red Clover Plus Wild Vineyard Bowel Plus Haven Basket Natural 292 Heavenly Orchard Herbal Concentrate Heavenly Orchard Cal Mag Organic Haven Red Raspberry Plus Organic Haven Waist a Way Natures Valley Dulse Plus Herbal Valley Bentonite & More Herbal Valley Royal Silver
Symptoms of exposure to heavy metals include nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, muscle cramps, diarrhoea, heart abnormalities, anaemia, as well as bone, liver, kidney and nervous system problems. Bacterial contamination of health products can pose a risk to human health and may cause a variety of adverse effects, such as gastrointestinal upset and bacterial infection.
The products listed above have been available over the Internet and at retail stores in Canada. The products have also been distributed by Health Trek and by Sho-Tai practitioners. The products are not authorized for sale in Canada.
As of March 6, 2008, there have been five cases of adverse reactions reported in Canada that are linked to the use of Wild Vineyard products.
Wild Vineyard is not authorized to manufacture, package, label or import natural health products in Canada.
Health Canada reminds consumers not to use the products listed above, or any products previously identified in the December 28, 2007 advisory (http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/advisories-avis/_2007/2007_179-eng.php). Health Canada advises consumers who have used these products and who are concerned about their health to contact a health practitioner for advice. The Department also advises retailers to remove these products from their shelves.
Natural Health Products that are authorized for sale in Canada have a Natural Product Number (NPN), a Drug Identification Number for Homeopathic Medicine (DIN-HM), or an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN) on the label. These numbers indicate that the products have been assessed by Health Canada for safety, effectiveness and quality.
Consumers requiring more information about this advisory can contact Health Canada’s public enquiries line at (613) 957-2991, or toll free at 1-866-225-0709.
To report a suspected adverse reaction to this product, please contact the Canada Vigilance Program of Health Canada by one of the following methods:
Telephone: 1-866-234-2345 Facsimile: 1-866-678-6789 Canada Vigilance Program Marketed Health Products Directorate Ottawa, Ontario, AL 0701C K1A 0K9 E-mail: [email protected]
The Canada Vigilance adverse reaction reporting form, including a version that can be completed and submitted online, is located in the MedEffect Canada (www.healthcanada.gc.ca/medeffect) area of the Health Canada Web site.
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Contacts: Media Inquiries: Health Canada 613-957-2983 Public Inquiries: 613-957-2991 1-866-225-0709
SOURCE: Health Canada
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