Health Risks Associated with Use of Miracle Mineral Solution
- Starting date:
- May 12, 2010
- Posting date:
- May 12, 2010
- Type of communication:
- Advisory
- Subcategory:
- Natural health products
- Source of recall:
- Health Canada
- Issue:
- Product Safety, Unauthorized products
- Audience:
- General Public
- Identification number:
- RA-110004322
The issue
Health Canada is warning Canadians of the risks to health associated with use of the unauthorized drug product, Miracle Mineral Solution (MMS), which was distributed on the Internet by MMSsupplier.com to treat drinking water. According to the information provided on the company's website, Miracle Mineral Solution is a 28% solution of sodium chlorite. Health Canada advises that sodium chlorite is a chemical used mainly as a textile bleaching agent and disinfectant.
Health Canada advises that using this product as directed may cause serious health problems. Ingestion of water treated with Miracle Mineral Solution (28% sodium chlorite solution) has been associated with two adverse reactions in Canada, including one life threatening reaction.
Who is affected
Canadians who have purchased Miracle Mineral Solution on the Internet from MMSsupplier.com. This product has been promoted on MMSsupplier.com for use in infants and children, as well as adults.
What consumers should do
- Consumers should stop using Miracle Mineral Solution (28% sodium chlorite solution) immediately.
- Consumers should consult their doctor or pharmacist if they have used or are using Miracle Mineral Solution products distributed by MMSsupplier.com.
- Consumers should report any adverse reaction to Health Canada (see below).
What Health Canada is doing
Health Canada has notified the owner of MMSsupplier.com that the sale of 28% sodium chlorite products as a therapeutic product is in contravention of the Food and Drugs Act. Ingesting these products poses a risk to human health. It is important to note that the Miracle Mineral Solution product label and the former MMSsupplier.com website claim that the product contains sodium chlorite. However, the Miracle Mineral Solution product is not authorized for sale as a drug in Canada.
Health Canada has requested MMSsupplier.com to remove these products from the Canadian market. The owner of MMSsupplier.com has indicated that they are no longer selling this product.
Background
Miracle Mineral Solution distributed by MMSsupplier.com claims to contain 28% sodium chlorite solution. Based on these claims, when taken as directed, Miracle Mineral Solution provides approximately 200 times more sodium chlorite than the tolerable daily intake of sodium chlorite in water established by Health Canada.
No drug products containing sodium chlorite have been approved by Health Canada for oral consumption by humans. Sodium chlorite is authorized in Canada for use as a germicide by veterinarians and as a hard surface disinfectant. Sodium chlorite is commonly used for bleaching textiles, pulp and paper, as well as in the generation of disinfectant for drinking water treatment.
Ingestion of water treated with Miracle Mineral Solution (28% sodium chlorite solution) has been associated with two adverse reactions in Canada, including one life-threatening reaction. Health Canada advises that oral consumption of sodium chlorite may cause health problems such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea or more serious problems such as, poisoning, kidney failure and harm to red blood cells that reduces the ability of the blood to carry oxygen, among others.
Products distributed by MMSsupplier.com
- Miracle Mineral Solution (28% sodium chlorite solution)
- Miracle Mineral Solution Kit (28% sodium chlorite solution)
- Miracle Mineral Solution Business Starter Kit (28% sodium chlorite solution)
How to report side effects to health products
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:
- Fax: 1-866-678-6789
- E-mail: CanadaVigilance@hc-sc.gc.ca
- Internet: www.healthcanada.gc.ca/medeffect
-
Mail: Canada Vigilance Program
Marketed Health Products Directorate
Ottawa, ON, Address Locator 0701C
K1A 0K9
Related Health Canada Web Content
- Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality: Guideline Technical Document – Chlorite and Chlorate (June 2008)
- Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines (August 2009)
Related AWRs
Media enquiries
Health Canada
613-957-2983
Public enquiries
613-957-2991
1-866-225-0709
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