Potentially dangerous weight-loss product seized from U-Box store in Burnaby, BC

Starting date:

April 9, 2014

Posting date:

April 9, 2014

Type of communication:

Advisory

Subcategory:

Drugs

Source of recall:

Health Canada

Issue:

Undeclared Substance

Audience:

General Public

Identification number:

RA-38949

• Issue
• What you should do
• Who is affected
• Report health or safety concerns
• Media enquiries
• Public enquiries
• What Health Canada is doing
• Images

Issue

Health Canada has seized the unauthorized drug, “L-Showm Weight Loss Pills”, being sold at the U-Box store, located at 2809-4500 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC. Health Canada testing found that it contained an undisclosed ingredient, phenolphthalein.

Phenolphthalein, which was previously used as a laxative, is no longer authorized for sale in Canada because it may cause cancer. Additional side-effects associated with phenolphthalein include decreased blood pressure, skin rash and gastrointestinal bleeding.

What you should do

• Speak to your healthcare practitioner about any questions or concerns regarding this product.
• Read the label of the products you buy to verify that they have been assessed by Health Canada for safety, effectiveness and quality. Health products that have been authorized for sale by Health Canada will have an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN), a Homeopathic Medicine Number (DIN-HM) or a Natural Product Number (NPN) on the label.
• Report any adverse events using this product to Health Canada.

Who is affected

Canadians who have used or purchased “L-Showm Weight Loss Pills”. Health Canada has not received any reports of adverse reactions associated with the use of “L-Showm Weight Loss Pills.”

Report health or safety concerns

• Call toll-free at 1-866-234-2345
• Visit MedEffect Canada's web page on Adverse Reaction Reporting for information on how to report online, by mail or by fax.

Media enquiries

Health Canada
(613) 957-2983

Public enquiries

(613) 957-2991
1-866 225-0709

What Health Canada is doing

Health Canada is testing additional weight management products sampled nationally as part of a proactive compliance monitoring activity. Should testing results identify additional products that pose a risk to Canadians, the department will take action and inform Canadians.

Images

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