Health Canada has seized unauthorized health products from two natural food stores in Sudbury, claiming the products show labels indicating those products contain prescription drugs or controlled drugs which might post health risks.
The information provided in a Health Canada news release said that unauthorized products were taken from Paris Natural Foods at 1500 Paris Street and from Durham Natural Foods at 1191 Montrose Avenue.
"The unauthorized products include prescription-strength vitamin D3 supplements, hormones in capsule and cream format, and a sexual enhancement product," said the news release.
Health Canada described the products as follows:
- DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone), used as a workout supplement, containing dehydroepiandrosterone.
- Natrix Nutraceuticals Inc. Dioscorene Natural Progesterone Cream, used as hormone replacement therapy, containing progesterone.
- Paragon Alternative Medical Clinic Amore Exotic Herbal Formula, used for sexual enhancement, containing yohimbe.
- Paris Natural Foods Vitamin D3 (4,000 IU), used as a vitamin supplement containing prescription-strength vitamin D3.
- Paris Natural Foods Vitamin D3 (10,000 IU), used as a vitamin supplement containing prescription-strength vitamin D3.
The news release said all the above products were for sale at Paris Natural Foods, while the Vitamin D3 products (with the Paris Natural Foods label) were available for sale at Durham Natural Foods.
With respect to the products that were seized, Health Canada advises consumers avoid using the products they might have purchased.
"Do not use these products. Return the product to your local pharmacy for proper disposal. Consult a health care professional if you have used any of these products and have health concerns”.
Sudbury.com reached out to both the stores in Sudbury for comment. Paris Natural Foods telephone response went directly to voicemail, but the voice mailbox was full. Durham Natural Foods forwarded our inquiry to a Toronto-based phone number which advised that no comment was being provided at this time. A spokesperson named Amina (no surname provided) promised a callback.
The seizure of the local products was handled by the federal Health Canada department and did not involve the local health unit.
“Public Health Sudbury & Districts was not involved in this specific matter. Health products are approved federally by Health Canada and not local health units. If we did receive a complaint from the public regarding potentially illegal health products being sold at a location, we would refer the matter to Health Canada for their follow-up and would support their investigation upon request," said PHSD.
Sudbury.com asked Health Canada for additional information on the matter, but as of press time Tuesday afternoon, no response was received.
Len Gillis covers health care and mining for Sudbury.com.
