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Public advisory

Bi Yan Pian Recalled Due to Excessive Amount of Mercury

Starting date:
September 1, 2011
Posting date:
September 1, 2011
Type of communication:
Advisory
Subcategory:
Natural health products
Source of recall:
Health Canada
Issue:
Contamination, Product Safety
Audience:
General Public
Identification number:
RA-110004519

Wing Quon Enterprises Ltd. has initiated a stop sale and is voluntarily recalling a natural health product, Bi Yan Pian (NPN 80023876) from the Canadian market after the product was found to contain an excessive amount of mercury.

Issue

Ingestion of excessive amounts of mercury poses serious health risks because it may accumulate in vital organs of the body. The risk increases with the amount ingested and the length of time the mercury is ingested. Children are most susceptible to the toxic effects.

Products affected

Bi Yan Pian (NPN# 80023876)

What you should do

  • Consult your healthcare practitioner if you have used this product and are concerned about your health.
  • Contact Wing Quon Enterprises Ltd., Richmond, British Columbia concerning this recall at 1-604-273-5028.
  • Report any adverse reaction potentially related to these products to Health Canada (see below).

Who is affected

Canadians who have purchased Bi Yan Pian from retail stores across Canada or via the Internet.

Background

Following Hong Kong's Department of Health press release regarding excessive amounts of heavy metals in three Chinese medicines – [LuShenPai] Specific Hou Ton Qing, [Chung Lien] Bi Yan Pian, and [AA] Pe Min Kan Wan, Health Canada examined the availability of these products on the Canadian market.

Health Canada has identified one product, to date, bearing the brand name, or a similar brand name to [Chung Lien] Bi Yan Pian, which has been authorized for sale as a natural health product in Canada. Should additional products be found that contain an excessive amount of mercury or other risks to the health and safety of Canadians, Health Canada will take appropriate action.

The sample tested was found to contain mercury at a level of 2.43 micrograms per kilogram body weight per day (2.43 µg/kg bw/day), an amount nearly 10 times higher than the daily maximum limit set by Health Canada for natural health products (under 0.29 ug/kg bw/day).

Symptoms of short-term exposure to high levels of mercury may include, but are not limited to, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, muscle cramps, diarrhea, numbness or "pins and needles" sensation in the extremities of the hands and feet, malaise or blurred vision, heart abnormalities, anaemia, liver and nervous system problems. The toxic effects of longer term exposure to high mercury levels include irritability, tremors, speech difficulties, loss of hearing and constriction of visual fields, memory loss, insomnia, concentration problems, and kidney and brain damage.

Report health or safety concerns

To report suspected adverse reaction to these or other health products, please contact the Canada Vigilance Program of Health Canada toll-free at 1-866-234-2345, or complete a Canada Vigilance Reporting Form and send to us using one of these methods:


Media enquiries

Health Canada
613-957-2983

Public enquiries

613-957-2991
1-866 225-0709

What Health Canada is doing

Health Canada is monitoring the recall of Bi Yan Pian from the Canadian market. Should additional importers or distributors be identified, Health Canada will take appropriate action and inform Canadians.

Images

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