The company Alive Health Centre, in consultation with Health Canada, is voluntarily recalling two lots of its natural health product Alive Vitamins - Royal Jelly 1200 mg due to contamination with chloramphenicol, an antibiotic that may pose serious health risks to consumers. Chloramphenicol is associated with a rare risk of aplastic anemia, a serious blood disorder that can be fatal. This reaction is unpredictable and not related to a specific dose of chloramphenicol.

Chloramphenicol is a prescription drug and should only be used under medical supervision in adults and children after careful consideration of the risks associated with it use. Other side effects that can be associated with chloramphenicol include allergic reactions in people who have sensitivity to the medication, and effects on the bone marrow leading to decreased blood cells. In addition, it should not be used by pregnant or lactating women.

Products affected are:
Alive Vitamins - Royal Jelly 1200 mg (NPN 80034337) Lots: 21211147 and 21203128