Brewer's Yeast Tablets: May Pose Serious Health Risks to Canadians with Milk Allergies

Advisory
2011-143
October 25, 2011
For immediate release

The issue:

Health Canada is advising Canadians of the voluntary recall by Puresource Inc. of three lots of NOW Brewer's Yeast (10 grain) Tablets due to the presence of an undeclared milk allergen. The products affected by this recall are bottles of 200 tablets (Lot numbers: 1401411, 1365681 and 1343111).

People with milk allergies can experience a range of mild to severe symptoms when exposed to even small amounts of milk proteins. Symptoms may include breathing difficulties that, in some cases, can be life threatening. To date, Health Canada has not received any reports of adverse reactions related to the use of NOW Brewer's Yeast Tablets.

Who is affected:

Canadians with milk allergies who have purchased or used NOW Brewer's Yeast Tablets.

What consumers should do:

• Contact Puresource Inc. for additional instructions at 1-800-265-7245 concerning NOW Brewer's Yeast Tablets.
• Consult your healthcare practitioner with any questions or concerns regarding use of this product.
• Read the label of the products you buy to verify that they have been assessed by Health Canada for safety, effectiveness and quality. Health products that have been authorized for sale by Health Canada will have an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN), a Homeopathic Medicine Number (DIN-HM) or a Natural Product Number (NPN) on the label. Some natural health products (NHPs) may have an Exemption Number (EN), which indicates that the product is legally available for sale while Health Canada is reviewing its application for licensing.
• Report any adverse reaction potentially related to these products to Health Canada (see below).

What Health Canada is doing:

Health Canada is monitoring the recall by Puresource. Puresource is also advising that all consumers should contact customer service for additional instructions.

Should any new information be identified, Health Canada will continue to provide an update to Canadians.

Products affected:

1. Brewer's Yeast Tablets (Lot numbers 1401411, 1365681, 1343111)

Product	Company	Description	Company contact info	Product Photo
Brewer's Yeast Tablets	Puresource Inc.	10 grain, 650 mg, in bottle sizes of 200 tablets	1-800-265-7245

For more information:

Consumers and health professionals wanting more information about this advisory from Health Canada can contact the Public Enquiries Line at 613-957-2991, or toll free at 1-866-225-0709.

Media enquiries related to this Advisory should be directed to Health Canada Media Relations at 613-957-2983.

How to report problems with consumer products:

To report suspected adverse reaction to these or other health products, please contact Health Canada's Canada Vigilance Program toll-free at 1-866-234-2345, or complete a Canada Vigilance Reporting Form and send to us using one of these methods:

• Fax: 1-866-678-6789
• Internet: www.healthcanada.gc.ca/medeffect
• Mail : Canada Vigilance Program
  Marketed Health Products Directorate
  Ottawa, ON, Address Locator 0701E
  K1A 0K9

Related Health Canada Web content:

• Advisory (April 5, 2011): UPDATE: Additional Probiotic Natural Health Products May Pose Serious Health Risks to Canadians with Milk Allergies
• Advisory (February 3, 2011): Exact^TM Multi Greens Powder and Capsules Recalled as They May Pose Serious Health Risks to Canadians with Milk Allergies
• Advisory (December 24, 2010): Update: Four Probiotic Natural Health Products May Pose Serious Health Risks to Canadians with Milk or Soy Allergies
• Advisory (December 6, 2010): "Probiophilus" and ""Cultures de Yogourt 5 Milliards" May Pose Serious Health Risks to Canadians with Milk Allergies
• Warning (July 24, 2009): Milk Allergy Risk Identified in the Natural Health Product: Dophilus Chewable Tablets

Stay connected with Health Canada and receive the latest advisories and product recalls using these social media tools:

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Media Enquiries:
Health Canada
(613) 957-2983

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