Advisory - Consumers advised to stop using Akwaton International Multipurpose Wipes

OTTAWA, May 27, 2020 /CNW/ -

Summary

Product: Akwaton International Multipurpose Wipes

Issue: 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.

What to do: Stop using this product. Consult with your health care professional if you have used this product and have health concerns. Report any health product adverse events or complaints to Health Canada.

Issue

Health Canada is advising Canadians to stop using Akwaton International Multipurpose Wipes. 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.

This product has not been authorized by Health Canada, which means it 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. 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.

What consumers should do

• Stop using this product. Please 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.
• Consult with your health care professional if you have used this product and have health concerns.
• Read product labels to verify that health products have been authorized for sale by Health Canada. Authorized health products have an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN), Natural Product Number (NPN) or Homeopathic Drug Number (DIN-HM). You can also check whether products have been authorized for sale by searching Health Canada's Drug Product Database and Licensed Natural Health Product Database.
• Report any health product adverse events or complaints to Health Canada.

What Health Canada is doing

• Health Canada has requested a stop sale and advertising of the unauthorized product to Canadians.
• If Health Canada identifies additional retailers or distributors, the department will take appropriate action and inform Canadians.

Related Links

• Natural Health Products
• Licensed Natural Health Products Database
• Drug Product Database
• Hard-surface disinfectants and hand sanitizers (COVID-19)

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SOURCE Health Canada