Health Canada Warnings: Amana Care Herbal and Arrow Brand Oil

Nov 22, 2010 Tamara Laschinsky

Health Canada warns consumers about banned items - Dave Johnson with permission

On November 22, 2010, Health Canada issued a warning to consumers that two products have somehow entered the Canadian market and consumers should not use them. It is believed the products entered Canada with a traveler or purchased online.

The two products consumers must be aware of are:

1. Amana Care Seven Slim Herbal Capsules
2. Arrow Brand Medicated Oil and Embrocation

Neither product is allowed to be sold in Canada due to serious health concerns and they have entered Canada illegally.

Amana Care Seven Slim Herbal Capsules for Weight Loss Banned in Canada

The alert started with the Israel Ministry of Health and concerns products made by Amana in Lebanon. Amana Care Seven Slim Herbal Capsules is marketed as a dietary supplement intended for weight loss.

The product contains:

• Sibutramine which used to be used to treat obesity but is now illegal in Canada due to association of increase risk of cardiovascular side effects like heart attack and strokes.
• Sildenafil is used to treat errectile dysfunction and should only be taken with under supervision of health care provider.

Side effects from these drugs are:

• Heart attack/stroke
• Increased blood pressure
• Dry mouth
• Insomnia
• Constipation
• Life-threatening if taken with nitrate drugs
• Chest pain
• Headache
• Facial flushing
• Indigestion
• Dizziness
• Abnormal vision
• Hearing loss

Arrow Brand Medicated Oil and Embrocation for Cuts, Scrapes and Cold Remedy Banned in Canada

The U.S Food and Drug Administration warned that this product may be in Canada due to being brought in by travelers or purchased over the Internet. It's Spanish name is Aceite Medicinal La Flecha and may also be in Mandarin.

The product is made by Kwan Dong Tung Pak Tong Medicine Manufactory Ltd. (Hong Kong) and distributed by Casa El Oriental de Fermin Fong (Dominican Republic).

It is used to treat many illnesses like:

• Cuts,burns, scrapes
• Insect bites, sprains, dislocations
• fainting fits, stiff muscles
• headaches, coughs, colds
• stomach-aches, cramping, toothaches
• Claims to prevent influenza and contagious diseases

Package instructions say to take orally or use topically, but no dose recommendation is given.

The ingredients are potentially poisonous, especially for children. They can also be poisonous when applied to large areas of the skin or when heat is used to increase absorption.

• Methyl salicylate is poisonous when ingested and not allowed for oral ingestion as per Canadian regulations.
• Camphor is poisonous when ingested if in excess, especially for children
• Eucalyptus oil is poisonous when ingested, especially for children

Side effects include:

• Abdominal pain
• Burning sensation in mouth
• Headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Seizures
• Fatality

Health Canada warns consumers to avoid these products and ensure remaining product is no longer used. If consumers are concerned about their health from using these products, Health Canada recommends consumers consult their doctor.

Copyright Tamara Laschinsky. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.

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Health Canada Recall Breastlight: Breast Cancer Signs & Detection

Nov 12, 2010 Tamara Laschinsky

Detecting breast cancer is done with mamograms - r MedicalInfrared with permission

November 12, 2010 – Health Canada issued a reacall for the device “Breastlight”. Breastlight is manufactured by PWB Health Ltd., and is asking pharmacies and distributors to immediately cease selling this product. 25 percent of women who have breast cancer will die from the disease. Prevention and early detection can help lower these numbers and improve success rates.

About the Breastlight and How it Detects Breast Cancer

The Breastlight was developed to shine light into the breast tissue, allowing women to perform a simple at-home test. The light was expected to show any dark mass of tissue that may indicate possible tumors and breast cancer.

However, Health Canada has come forth stating that there is no clinical evidence that this device works and fears many women have relied on this product for diagnosis. It can pose a very severe risk to women who may have breast cancer, as the Breastlight may not detect it and it will go untreated.

What Consumers Who Bought the Breastlight Should Do

Anyone who bought the Breastlight to diagnose themselves for possible breast cancer should immediately follow-up with their doctor. Breast cancer can be curable if detected early.

Consumers can also get more information on this recall by contact Health Canada’s public enquiry line at 1-866-225-0709 or 613-957-2991.

Symptoms and Signs of Possible Breast Cancer

• A lump or thickening of the tissue on your breast
• Bloody discharge from the nipple
• Change in size or shape of breast
• Changes in skin appearance; dimpling
• Inverted nipples
• Peeling or flaking of nipple skin
• Redness or pitting of breast skin, similar to that of an orange

Contact your doctor for a medical diagnosis if you suspect you may have breast cancer. Breast exams are often performed as part of your annual exam. Women between the ages of 50 and 69 should have a mammogram once every two years, or more, depending on their risk factors.

Breast Cancer: Detection, Prevention and Risk Factors

In 1993, Health Canada reports that breast cancer cases leveled off and that one in nine Canadian women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Early detection and prevention will help you avoid a negative outcome from breast cancer.

Risk Factors:

• Being overweight, after menopause
• Taking hormone replacement therapy
• Exposure to x-rays
• Having first baby after age 30, or not having children at all
• Never breast-feeding
• Having close relative with breast cancer
• Gender
• Age: risk increase as you get older
• Early menstruation (before age 12) Late menopause (after age 55)

It is also important to note that some parabens have been found in breast cancer tumors. Parabens are common preservatives found in personal care products.

Further Reading: Chemicals to Avoid in Personal Care Products: Baby, Kids and Adults.

The Cause and Treatment for Cancer: The Need for Oxygen

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.

References:

Health Canada. “Breastlight is Not Authorized for Use as a Screening Device for the Detection of Breast Cancer.” (accessed November 12, 2010)

Health Canada. “It’s Your Health” (accessed November 12, 2010)

Copyright Tamara Laschinsky. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.

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Counterfeit Money Issues in Canada

Oct 30, 2010 Toby Welch

The Bank of Canada Issues Canadian Money - Colin Rose

It happens more than you may realize. Someone takes out $20 from an instant teller and is unable to spend it when the coffee shop refuses to accept it. Your friend tries to buy a new DVD player only to have the cashier call the police as he is paying with bogus money; he leaves with no cash and no electronics. At the local pub, your ten dollar bill gets spilled on and the ink starts to run. You are asked leave. It happens every day in Canada.

According to Ginette Crew, a Senior Analyst at the Bank of Canada (the only organization allowed to issue Canadian paper money), “ In 2004 there were 552,980 counterfeit notes passed in Canada compared to over 1.4 billion genuine notes in circulation ($13 million in counterfeits compared to $41 billion in genuine). Counterfeits were a very small fraction of one per cent of genuine notes in circulation (4/100ths of one per cent).”

The most common denomination of counterfeit money in Canada is usually the $20 bill. This can vary from year to year but it is usually either the $10 $20 bill.

Why Should I Care About Counterfeit Money?

All financial losses are traced back to you, the consumer, who must pay higher prices for goods as a result of counterfeiting. When retailers receive counterfeit bills, they are not compensated for the money they lose and must eventually increase their prices to make up for the loss. We all pay in the long-run for the activities of counterfeiters.

As well, the higher cost of making money is passed on to you. Ginette Crew explains, “The Birds of Canada series $20, $50 and $100 bills (the previous series of bank notes) cost 6.5 cents each to produce; the new Canadian Journey series $20, $50, and $100 bills, and the upgraded Canadian Journey $10 note, cost 9 cents each. Most of the increased cost is for improved security features in the bank notes. We feel this is money well spent to protect the Canadian cash supply, and worth it every time someone avoids getting stuck with a fake bill.”

Another reason to always be on the lookout for counterfeit bills is that if you have one, there is no way to get your money back for it.

Why doesn’t the Bank of Canada offer reimbursement for counterfeit notes? According to Ginette Crew, “This would subsidize and encourage counterfeiting: the Bank would be providing a financial reward for counterfeiters' criminal behaviour. Other central banks have the same policy.” As well, it would be difficult to distinguish between an innocent recipient of a counterfeit note and a criminal.

How Are Counterfeit Bills Detected?

As every counterfeit bill is flawed in some way, they are eventually detected. This usually happens in one of five ways:

• At a bank as it is sorted
• When a cashier discovers the fake and notifies the police
• The Bank of Canada detects the fakes when they are returned from other banks due to deterioration
• Counterfeit money is seized during police busts
• Someone realizes they have a fake bill

What Should You Do If You Receive a Counterfeit Bill?

Jonathan Hart, a banker whose name has been changed due to legal issues with identifying his bank, suggests, “If you are at a bank or a merchant and you receive a bill you do not feel comfortable with, ask for it to be replaced with another one. You do not have to take a bill just because they have given it to you.”

If you receive a bill and feel your personal safety may be threatened, stay calm and call 911.

Hold on to the bank note. Record the serial number and what bill it is. Make notes on where you received the bill and the person who gave you the note, their physical description, etc.

Contact your local police department or RCMP unit and let them know your situation. When handing over the note, mark the date and your initials on it. Always get a receipt. If the RCMP Bureau for Counterfeit and Document Examinations in Ottawa concludes the bill is real, it will be returned to you.

Forget keeping a counterfeit note you have received as a souvenir. Doing so is a criminal offence and can land you up to 14 years in prison.

How Good Are Counterfeits?

Technological advances have allowed counterfeiters to improve their product. The majority of counterfeiting bills are made with a regular ink-jet printer.

Ginette Crew clarified this, “Counterfeits do vary in quality – some are poor quality or extremely poor quality. Some make an attempt at imitating some of the security features. But the key really is those security features. If you check the holographic stripe, pay attention to the raised ink, that kind of thing, you will easily be able to detect them. You don’t need any special tools, just pay attention to the look and feel.”

Think counterfeiting may be an easy way to get your hands on some extra money? Think again! Anyone who makes or even begins to make a likeness of a Canadian bank note may spend up to 14 years in prison. And for infringing on the copyright of the bills, a counterfeiter is at risk of another six-month jail term and $25,000. If indicted, offenders can be sentenced to a jail term of up to five years and a fine up to $1,000,000.

Jonathan Hart shares some insight. “I said to a customer last week that we live in a great age. You don’t have to use cash. You can use your debit card. You can use your credit card. You can circumvent using cash altogether if you are worried about counterfeit bills.”

For additional information, check out:

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