Warning
1998-57
September 11, 1998
Warning not to use any products containing mustard seed oil/mustard oil OTTAWA - Health Canada is warning consumers not to use any mustard seed oils/mustard oils because they may be contaminated with argemone oil, a toxic oil which can cause severe illness and sometimes death when consumed or absorbed through the skin. These oils are not used in prepared mustards made in Canada and these products are therefore not of concern. This advice follows a joint September 4 health hazard alert from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Health Canada about potential argemone oil contamination in mustard oil/mustard seed oil products used as foods. In addition to these food items, Health Canada inspectors have found mustard seed oils/mustard oils with labels stating "not for internal consumption," "for external use only" and other similar directives. These products might be massaged into the skin or hair, used for cooking or consumed. None of these products should be used. No reports of illness or death associated with these products have been reported in Canada. There are reports in India of serious illness, blindness and death associated with the consumption of contaminated oil. Medical literature also describes cases of illness that occurred after argemone-contaminated mustard seed oil/mustard oil was applied to the body as a massage oil. Reports from India indicate that large quantities of mustard seed oil/mustard oil may be contaminated with the toxic argemone oil. Health Canada is currently testing samples of mustard seed oil/mustard oil to determine if any contaminated items were imported to Canada. Until the quality of mustard seed oils/mustard oils can be confirmed, consumers should not purchase or use any of these products. To help with identifying all possible importers, distributors and retailers of these products, Health Canada is asking consumers to call 1-800-267-9675 and provide the names of mustard seed oil/mustard oil products in their possession. The investigation and analysis will take several weeks, after which Health Canada will make the results publicly available.
Media inquiries:
Tony Halisky
Health Canada
(613) 566-8345 (pager)
Public Inquiries:
(613) 957-2991
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