Health Canada Warns Against Supplements with Misleading Claims

OTTAWA—Health Canada (www.hc-sc.gc.ca) is advising consumers not to use four unauthorized natural health products that are promoted to treat serious health conditions such as cancer, arthritis and heart disease, as such unapproved health claims are in violation of the Food and Drugs Act and may mislead patients to use the unauthorized products in place of proven, approved treatment. The offending products—Ellagimax capsules, Coral Max capsules, Coral Max without Iron capsules and Advanced Arthritis Support capsules—are marketed as dietary supplements, but their labels and related promotional materials feature claims normally associated with drugs in the eyes of Health Canada, which stated the safety and effectiveness of these products have not been proven.

Distributed by Ft. Walton, Fla.-based Advanced Nutraceuticals, the products are not authorized for sale in Canada and have not yet been found in the Canadian marketplace, but the products are sold online and may also have been brought into Canada for personal use by travelers, according to the agency. Health Canada urges Canadians to contact the Health Products and Food Branch Inspectorate at (800) 267-9675 if they find any of these four products for sale in Canada, and advised those who have used these products to consult their physicians. Customs officials have been alerted to be on the lookout for these products.