Consumer News
Health Canada advises consumers be cautious when buying Tamiflu online
(December 23, 2005)
Health Canada is advising consumers to be cautious if buying the prescription drug Tamiflu over the Internet and to avoid any products claiming to be "generic" Tamiflu, as there are no authorized generic versions of the antiviral on the market. For more information visit the Health Canada website.
Legislation to Establish National Do Not Call List Adopted by Parliament
(November 29, 2005)
The Honourable David L. Emerson, Minister of Industry announced that important amendments to the Telecommunications Act were adopted by Parliament late on Friday, November 25, 2005. For more information visit the Industry Canada website.
Check the Price! You may get more than you bargained for!
(November 29, 2005)
Attention holiday shoppers. Pay close attention when your purchases are being scanned at the check-out. If the scanned item is higher than the shelf price, you can get it for free, up to a $10 maximum. For more information visit the Competition Bureau website.
Health Canada warns consumers not to use GenTeal Artificial Tears due to potential health risk
(November 7, 2005)
Health Canada is warning consumers not to use Lot 51436 of the product Genteal Artificial Tears 25 ml due to possible contamination with bacteria. A recall of the affected lot has been initiated by the distributor, Novartis. For more information visit the Health Canada website.
Unpasteurized Fruit Juice/Cider
(October 20, 2005)
Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) are advising parents and caregivers that children should not be served unpasteurized apple juice or other unpasteurized products, such as unpasteurized cider, fruit juices and raw milk. For more information visit the CFIA website.
Important Information For Debit Card Users
(September 30, 2005)
The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) is advising consumers to be aware of important changes, effective today, to the industry code of conduct that outlines practices to protect Canadians from liability in cases of debit card fraud or unauthorized transactions. For more information visit the FCAC website.
Danger associated with "Uni-Bright" brand refillable BBQ lighters
(September 30, 2005)
Health Canada is warning the Canadian public not to use "Uni-Bright" brand refillable barbeque lighters. During 2005, the lighters were sold by retail outlets across Canada. These lighters may pose a fire and personal safety hazard to consumers. For more information visit the Health Canada website.
Traditional kohl products contain lead
(September 28, 2005)
Health Canada is advising Canadians that some varieties of traditional kohl products have been found to contain lead. Kohl (also known as: kajal, surma, al-kahl/al-kohl) is a traditional eye cosmetic of Middle Eastern, Asian and North African societies that is also at times used medicinally as a natural health product. Several children in Canada exposed to kohl containing lead have been identified with elevated levels of lead in their blood, putting them at risk of serious health problems.For more information visit the Health Canada website.
RCMP advises public: Donate wisely to aid Katrina victims
(September 26, 2005)
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Canadians may be approached to donate funds to various assistance and relief efforts. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) would like to remind Canadian citizens and businesses to take care when making donations that the organizations involved are reputable. For more information visit the RCMP website.
How Fuel Efficient are You?
(September 9, 2005)
With gas prices over $1 per litre, you can save by driving more safely. For more information visit the Canada Safety Council website.
Health Canada warns consumers not to use Sweet-Ease pacifier dip
(August 30, 2005)
Health Canada is warning consumers across Canada not to use Sweet-Ease, a sugar-solution pacifier dip because one lot of this product may contain mold. This product is used in hospitals to soothe babies and is not sold in stores, however some product may have been given to parents to take home. For more information visit the Health Canada website.
Health Canada allows Adderall XR® back on the Canadian market
(August 29, 2005)
Health Canada will allow Shire BioChem Inc., the manufacturer of Adderall XR®, to resume sales of the drug on the Canadian market following the recommendation of an independent and external committee appointed under the Food and Drugs Act. For more information visit the Health Canada website.
Health Canada launches MedEffect on its new website
(August 23, 2005)
Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh announced the launch of MedEffect, a website that will provide centralized access to relevant and reliable health product safety information in an easy-to-find location. For more information visit the Health Canada website.
New rules of the road: keeping teens safe on the Internet information highway
(August 18, 2005)
Young people are increasingly using new technologies - cell phone text messaging, chat rooms, online games, instant messaging and the Internet - as part of their regular socializing activities. These new opportunities to connect come with new risks of being harassed or bullied or exposed to sexual predators online. For more information visit the Canadian Health Network website.
Fill out this ballot, you could win a fabulous PRIZE or VACATION
(August 17, 2005)
The Competition Bureau issued a warning to consumers to exercise caution when filling out ballots or entry forms for contests or prize draws. For more information visit the Competition Bureau website.
Health Canada continues to warns consumers not to use Miracle II Miracle Neutralizer or any other health products from Tedco, Inc.
(August 9, 2005)
Health Canada is reminding consumers not to use Miracle II Miracle Neutralizer or any health products exported or sold by Tedco, Inc. of Louisiana, due to the risk that they could contain harmful bacteria. For more information visit the Health Canada website.
Criminal Charges Laid in Cancer Treatment Scam Following Competition Bureau Investigation
(August 5, 2005)
The Competition Bureau announced today that criminal charges have been laid against Michael Reynolds of Toronto, Ont., and John Armstrong of Penticton, B.C., for making false or misleading claims regarding the efficacy of their alleged cancer treatment. For more information visit the Competition Bureau website.
Consumer Fact Sheet on Gasoline Prices (Competition Bureau)
(July 28, 2005)
Salmonella infection in humans linked to natural pet treats, raw food diets for pets
(July 18, 2005)
The Public Health Agency of Canada is advising people who give their pets natural pet treats and/or raw food made from raw animal materials to wash their hands thoroughly with warm water and soap after handling these products. For more information visit the Public Health Agency of Canada website.
Health Canada advises consumers about important safety information on statins
(July 13, 2005)
Health Canada is advising Canadians about important safety information for all cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins. These medications include Lipitor (atorvastatin), Zocor (simvastatin), Mevacor (lovastatin), Lescol and Lescol XL (fluvastatin), Pravachol (pravastatin) and Crestor (rosuvastatin). For more information visit the Health Canada website.
Identity Theft Consultation
(July 7, 2005)
The Consumer Measures Committee (CMC), a forum of federal, provincial and territorial government representatives, is holding a public consultation on identity theft from July 6, 2005 to September 15, 2005. Working Together to Prevent Identity Theft, A Discussion Paper, explores a number of options to amend federal, provincial and territorial laws to curb identity theft and to make it easier for victims to recover from the experience. For more information visit the CMC website.
Competition Bureau seizes sunglasses with misleading claims
(July 7, 2005)
Consumers will not be misled by false or unsubstantiated claims on a shipment of eyewear following the Competition Bureau’s seizure of 15,000 pairs of sunglasses imported by an Edmonton-based wholesaler. For more information visit the Competition Bureau website.
Breast Implants Public Forum
(July 7, 2005)
Health Canada is currently assessing license applications to sell silicone gel-filled breast implants in Canada. Currently, only saline-filled breast implants are licensed for sale in Canada. To participate to the forum, please visit the
Conserve Energy in Summer Heat
(July 6, 2005)
Summer is a period of high energy use. Here are some tips that will help you play a part in conserving energy. For more information visit the
Ontario Government to update Travel Industry Act
(June 27, 2005)
The Ontario government is implementing new consumer protection measures that will provide travellers with accurate pricing by eliminating hidden costs. For more information visit the Ontario Government website.
Canadian Transportation Agency Alerts Travellers About Akwaaba and Ahenfo Airlines
(June 23, 2005)
The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) has issued a cease and desist order to Akwaaba Airlines & Tours and Ahenfo Airlines to stop advertising and selling air transportation services between Toronto and Accra, Ghana, without having proper authorization for the flights in question. For more information visit the CTA website.
Competition Bureau Investigation into Deceptive Telemarketing Operation Concludes
(June 20, 2005)
The last of 11 people involved in a deceptive telemarketing operation targeting consumers in Australia was sentenced today for his role in a prize-pitch scam over a five-week period. For more information visit the Competition Bureau website.
Consumer Guide to Competition in the Residential Telephone Service Market
(June 20, 2005)
This guide provides consumers with information about competition in the residential telephone service market. For more information visit the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission website.
Health Canada warns consumers not to use human growth hormone drug called GHR-15
(June 8, 2005)
Health Canada is warning consumers not to use GHR-15, which is sometimes labelled as GHR, due to risks associated with unsubstantiated health claims, hyperthyroidism, and possible interactions and allergic reactions. For more information visit the Health Canada website.
Health Canada warns consumers not to use any natural health products from Tedco, Inc.
(June 1st, 2005)
Health Canada is warning consumers not to use any natural health products exported or sold by Tedco, Inc. of Louisiana, due to the risk that they could contain harmful bacteria. These products are not authorized for sale in Canada. For more information visit the Health Canada website.
Health Canada warns consumers not to use any natural health products from the Master's Miracle
(June 1st, 2005)
Health Canada is warning consumers not to use any natural health products exported or sold by The Master's Miracle of Minnesota, due to the risk that they could contain harmful bacteria. These products are not authorized for sale in Canada. For more information visit the Health Canada website.
Health Canada announces the launch of a searchable online database of health product adverse reactions
(May 28, 2005)
Health Canada announced the launch of a searchable online database that will, for the first time, allow Canadians immediate, direct access to the latest reported adverse reactions to health products as recorded in Health Canada's Canadian Adverse Drug Reaction Information System (CADRIS). For more information visit the Health Canada website.
