November 26, 2019

Unauthorized Advisory: Ayurvedic products in BC may pose health risks

Health Canada is warning Canadians that Ayurvedic products sold by Dutta Health Centre-Ayurvedic Clinic in Surrey, British Columbia (Unit 109 - 12888 80th Avenue), may pose health risks. Health Canada testing of some of the Ayurvedic products from the clinic found that they contained high levels of lead and mercury. Lead and mercury may pose serious health risks when consumed in excessive amounts. Children, pregnant women and breastfeeding women are most susceptible to their toxic effects.

The testing was prompted by a report from the Fraser Health Authority in British Columbia of a case of lead poisoning of a patient who had been using Ayurvedic products from the clinic. Ayurvedic medicinal products are used in traditional Indian healing practice and are often imported from India. Improper manufacturing processes may result in dangerously high levels of heavy metals in the final product, which, when consumed, may accumulate in vital organs and cause serious health effects.