Health Canada recalls wipes used at Gambler
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 29/05/2020 (1981 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Health Canada has released a recall and safety alert on Akwaton multipurpose wipes, which have been in circulation at Gambler First Nation and possibly beyond.
The federal department states unequivocally: Stop using this product.
“This product has not been authorized by Health Canada and may cause skin irritation or an allergic reaction, especially in vulnerable populations such as children,” stated the department.
Further, anyone who has used the product and has health concerns should consult with their health-care professional and report any health-product adverse events or complaints to Health Canada.
“These disinfectant wipes are labelled to contain polyhexamethylene guanidine hydrochloride (PHMG) at a concentration of 0.05% (500 ppm). This ingredient is used as a biocidal disinfectant, but it is not approved for use in Canada. It can cause skin irritation or an allergic reaction, especially in vulnerable populations such as children,” Health Canada stated.
The product has not been reviewed for its safety, efficacy or quality.
“Since January 2019, Fosfaton-Akwaton International Ltd. has distributed an estimated 588 boxes (25 wipes per box) in Canada,” Health Canada continued. “In addition to not being authorized by Health Canada, the product expired in November 2015. As a result, the active ingredient may no longer be effective and the water in the product may have evaporated, raising the concentration of PHMG.”
Anyone possessing these wipes is advised to follow municipal or regional guidelines on how to dispose of chemicals and other hazardous waste.
“You may also return the product to your local pharmacy for proper disposal.”
The Brandon Sun first reported the circulation of this unauthorized product out of Gambler First Nation on May 15, then again on May 22. Gambler leadership did not respond to the Sun for those stories, though the community’s health director declared on Facebook the wipes were safe.
“Now, if you are asking about the akwaton wipes, yes we have and absolutely love them and SURPRISE, we haven’t died,” Mackenzie Olynyk wrote on a Gambler Facebook page. “These were distributed to staff of gambler, employed by gambler, for those in the work force.”
» mletourneau@brandonsun.com
» Michele LeTourneau covers Indigenous matters for The Brandon Sun under the Local Journalism Initiative, a federally funded program that supports the creation of original civic journalism.