Health Canada seizes products from Etobicoke beauty store following Star investigation

 Health Canada is advising Canadians that it seized numerous unauthorized health products, including six prescription skin products that may pose serious health risks such as skin deterioration, low or high blood pressure, blisters or scarring from Excel Beauty Supply, located in the Albion Centre (1530 Albion Road), Etobicoke, Ontario. The skin products are creams and gels promoted for various uses including skin whitening, fading discolouration and removal of spots. 

Selling unauthorized health products in Canada is illegal. Health products that have not been authorized by Health Canada have not been assessed for safety, effectiveness and quality, and may pose serious health risks. For example, unauthorized health products may be contaminated, may contain dangerous ingredients not listed on the label, or may not contain the ingredients shown on the label.

Who is affectedConsumers who have bought or are using the affected products.

Affected products

Product	Prescription drug listed on product label
H20 Jours Naturel Cream Aloe Vera	Clobetasol propionate 0.05%
H20 Jours Naturel Papaya Cream	Clobetasol propionate 0.05%
Nadinola Extra Strength Formula Skin Discolouration Fade Cream	Hydroquinone 3%
Neoprosone-Gel Forte	Betamethasone dipropionate 0.05%
Visible Difference Cream Spots Remover	Clobetasol propionate 0.05%
White Express Fast Action Cream Advanced Formula	Clobetasol propionate 0.05% Clotrimazole 1%

What Health Canada is doing

Health Canada seized the affected products and directed the retail store to stop selling unauthorized health products. Should additional safety concerns be identified, Health Canada will take appropriate action and inform Canadians as necessary.

Background

Betamethasone dipropionate is a highly potent corticosteroid prescription drug that can be used topically (i.e., applied to the skin) to treat inflammatory skin conditions. Side effects from topical use include skin irritation and, with prolonged use, skin weakening or deterioration. Topical corticosteroids can be absorbed in sufficient amounts to produce adverse effects, including symptoms of adrenal suppression (i.e., low blood pressure, low blood sugar, weight loss, muscle pain, gastrointestinal problems and severe fatigue) or Cushing's syndrome (i.e., high blood pressure, high blood sugar, weight gain, muscle weakness, bone loss and severe fatigue) depending on how much has been absorbed. Betamethasone dipropionate should not be used by pregnant or nursing women.

Clobetasol propionate is a highly potent topical (i.e., applied to the skin) corticosteroid prescription drug used to treat inflammatory skin conditions. It should not be used by people who are allergic to it. Side effects include skin irritation, weakening or deterioration. Topical corticosteroids can be absorbed in sufficient amounts to produce adverse effects, including symptoms of adrenal suppression (i.e., low blood pressure, low blood sugar, weight loss, muscle pain, gastrointestinal problems and severe fatigue) or Cushing's syndrome (i.e., high blood pressure, high blood sugar, weight gain, muscle weakness, bone loss and severe fatigue) depending on how much has been absorbed. Clobetasol should not be used by pregnant or nursing women.

Clotrimazole is a prescription drug used to treat vaginal yeast infections. It can cause nausea, abdominal pain, rashes (e.g., swelling or redness) and allergic reactions (e.g., low blood pressure or hives). It should not be used by patients who are allergic to clotrimazole. It can interact with tacrolimus and sirolimus drugs.

Hydroquinone for topical use at concentrations above 2% is a prescription drug used to lighten areas of darkened skin caused by different conditions (e.g., sun exposure, skin damage, pregnancy, medications or age). It should not be used by people who are allergic to hydroquinone or who are taking medicines that make their skin more sensitive to light. Hydroquinone is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, or children. It should be used with caution in those who have previously had cancer. Side effects include skin reactions such as redness, dryness, cracked skin, burning, stinging, peeling, itching, increased sensitivity to sunlight, sunburn, blisters and scarring. It may cause skin discolouration (i.e., blue or black discolouration or white patches or spots) that, in some cases, can be disfiguring. In laboratory animals, it has been associated with cancer after long-term exposure. As of June 30, 2019, products containing hydroquinone greater than 2% for topical use require a prescription from a healthcare practitioner to be sold in Canada. As part of this transition, several products exceeding 2% hydroquinone that were previously sold over the counter have been recalled in Canada.

SOURCE Health Canada

For further information: Media Enquiries: Health Canada, (613) 957-2983, hc.media.sc@canada.ca; Public Enquiries: (613) 957-2991, 1-866 225-0709