Health Canada reminds Canadians of dangers of Miracle Mineral Solution after investigation leads to guilty plea and two-year sentence
- Starting date:
- November 30, 2018
- Type of communication:
- Information Update
- Subcategory:
- Drugs
- Source of recall:
- Health Canada
- Identification number:
- RA-68516
Issue
November 30, 2018
For immediate release
OTTAWA – Following a successful investigation, Health Canada is reminding Canadians about the dangers of consuming products containing sodium chlorite.
On November 27, 2018, Stanley Nowak pleaded guilty to selling unauthorized drugs containing sodium chlorite, commonly known as Miracle Mineral Solution (MMS). Mr. Nowak was sentenced to a two-year conditional sentence order by the British Columbia Provincial Court followed by two years of probation.
The conditions of the conditional sentence order prohibit Mr. Nowak from manufacturing or selling any drugs and from possessing sodium chlorite. The conditions also include six months of house arrest followed by 18 months of curfew and 240 hours of community service, among other things.
Health Canada is reminding Canadians of the serious risks posed by ingesting products containing sodium chlorite and advises anyone involved in the advertising or sale of MMS or similar products that they are subject to enforcement action. We urge Canadians to report the sale of these products to Health Canada using our online complaint form.
Health Canada has not approved any health products containing sodium chlorite for human consumption. As such, the sale of MMS products is not permitted under the Food and Drugs Act and its Regulations. Health Canada has warned Canadians about the serious health risks posed by these products and has taken action to remove them from sale on several occasions.
Sodium chlorite is a chemical used mainly as a textile bleaching agent and disinfectant as well as for industrial water purification. Ingesting sodium chlorite in the concentrations contained in MMS products can cause poisoning, kidney failure, harm to red blood cells, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, among other harms.
MMS has been promoted under different names, such as "Miracle Mineral Supplement," "Master Mineral Solution," or its ingredient, sodium chlorite. The products have been promoted as treatments for a range of health ailments, including serious conditions such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, and childhood autism.
Health Canada is committed to using all tools at its disposal to stop the sale and promotion of unauthorized health products that pose serious risks to the health of Canadians.
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