Advisory

2007-115
September 10, 2007
For immediate release

Unauthorized Colloidal Silver Water Product May Pose Health Risk

OTTAWA - Health Canada is advising Canadians not to use the unauthorized product Colloidal Silver Water 20ppm, because of the potential health risk to consumers.

Colloidal Silver Water 20ppm is advertised as a nutritional supplement and for use in the treatment and prevention of infections. Colloidal Silver Water 20ppm is promoted for oral use and for use in the eye, ear, and nose or on skin. However, there is no evidence that the product is sterile or that it has been manufactured according to requirements for sterile ophthalmic products. This product may pose an infection risk to consumers who use it as drops for their eyes.

Consumers taking the oral daily dose as recommended on the product label are exceeding the acceptable daily level of silver for infants, children and adults. An accumulation of silver in the body from prolonged consumption can lead to a condition called generalized argyria, which is the permanent bluish-gray discoloration of the skin, eyes and nails.

The product distributed by SilverHealth Products Inc. is available at retail stores and over the Internet. Colloidal Silver Water 20ppm is not authorized for sale in Canada and to date the company has not complied with Health Canada's request to remove this product from the market.

Health Canada advises retailers to remove the product from their shelves. Consumers should return the product to the place of purchase.

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

Consumers requiring more information about this advisory can contact Health Canada’s public enquiries line at (613) 957-2991, or toll free at 1-866-225-0709.

To report a suspected adverse reaction to this product, please contact the Canadian Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring Program (CADRMP) of Health Canada by one of the following methods:

Telephone: 1-866-234-2345
Facsimile: 1-866-678-6789

CADRMP
Marketed Health Products Directorate
Ottawa, ON, AL 0701C
K1A 0K9
email: cadrmp@hc-sc.gc.ca

The CADRMP adverse reaction reporting form, including a version that can be completed and submitted online, is located on the MedEffect area of the Health Canada Web site.

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Media Inquiries:
Carole Saindon
Health Canada
613-957-1588

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