Foreign Product Alert

2006-62
July 18, 2006
For immediate release

Health Canada is advising consumers not to use the following product listed in the table below due to concerns about possible side-effects. More info

Safi

Date of alert	July 18, 2006
Product Name	Safi
Manufacturer / Place of Origin	Hamard Wakf Laboratories, India and Pakistan
Product Description	Safi is marketed as a blood purifier, but may also be marketed to treat skin conditions such as acne, boils, rashes, blemishes and hives. This product may also be promoted for the treatment of nose bleeds, constipation, indigestion and weight maintenance. Safi is a liquid supplied in a dark brown opaque bottle with a yellow screw top and lime-green labelling and packaging.
Reason for Warning	In November 2005, the U.K.'s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency issued an alert on Safi because it was found to contain toxic levels of arsenic.
Possible Side Effects	Arsenic can affect the liver, bone marrow, cardiovascular system and central nervous system, causing nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, muscle cramps, heart abnormalities, liver damage, anemia and reduced motor nerve function.
Special Information	Health Canada issued a Public Advisory (March 4, 2005) and Warning (July 14, 2005) that alerted Canadians about the presence of toxic levels of arsenic and its associated health effects in the product Safi. Please see: Health Canada warns consumers not to use certain Ayurvedic medicinal products Some Ayurvedic medicinal products reported to contain high levels of heavy metals

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Media Inquiries:
Christopher Williams
Health Canada
(613) 946-4250

Public Inquiries:
(613) 957-2991
1-866 225-0709

This product is not authorized for sale in Canada and has not been found in the Canadian marketplace. However, it is possible this product could be purchased by Canadians travelling abroad or has been brought into Canada through personal importation by travellers or purchased over the Internet.

Canadians who have this product are advised not to use it, and should consult with a health care professional if they have concerns about their health related to the use of this product.

Drugs and natural health products that are authorized for sale in Canada will have either an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN), a Natural Product Number (NPN) or a Homeopathic Medicine Number (DIN-HM) on the label. These numbers indicate that the products have been assessed by Health Canada for safety, effectiveness and quality.

Health Canada advises Canadians to contact the Health Products and Food Branch Inspectorate at 1-800-267-9675 if they find the product listed in the table in the Canadian marketplace.

For more information about the information contained in this advisory, please contact Health Canada's public inquiries line at (613) 957-2991 or toll-free at 1-866-225-0709.

As of the date of this posting, no adverse reactions suspected to be associated with the use of this product have been reported in Canada.