Find important information about a clinic that has been selling Ayurvedic products that are not regulated by Health Canada.
On November 21, 2019, Fraser Health served a health hazard order, under the Public Health Act, to Dutta Health Centre Ayurvedic Clinic in Surrey, for selling ayurvedic (traditional Indian medicine) products that were not regulated by Health Canada. The clinic has been ordered to cease selling unlicensed ayurvedic products.
Unlicensed products from this clinic have been documented to contain high levels of lead and mercury, and have been implicated in elevated blood lead levels of clinic clients. This clinic served both adults and children. Notice will be going out to Dutta Health Centre Ayurvedic Clinic clients, and the general public, that individuals who have taken products from this clinic and are concerned about their health, should visit their physician and inform them of the products they have been taking. Clients are also advised to dispose of any current products from Dutta Clinic safely at their local pharmacy
As a result, you may see an increase in individuals seeking medical consultation following consumption of these products. The BC Drug and Poison Information Centre is available to work with you on any diagnosis or treatment
Symptoms of lead poisoning include:
- Anemia
- Headaches/irritability/ slowed thinking
- Constipation/abdominal pain
- Joint pain/arthralgia/myalgia
- Fatigue/ sleep disturbance
- Miscarriages/stillbirth
Symptoms of mercury poisoning include:
- Mood swings
- Memory loss
- Muscle weakness
As a result, you may see an increase in individuals seeking medical consultation following consumption of these products.
Please advise your patients that many ayurvedic and other natural health products individually compounded by practitioners are not regulated by Health Canada and patients are consuming them at their own risk. Patients can identify a licensed product by looking for a Natural Product Number (NPN) or Homeopathic Medicine Number (DINHM) on the label. For a list of approved natural health products, please visit Health Canada.