Health Canada is advising expectant mothers and breastfeeding women not take the
supplements Maxum Matragen or Maxum Multi-Vite.
The vitamin-mineral supplements by Seroyal International Inc., have been only
approved for the general public but lack the required cautionary statement on
the label regarding pregnant and/or breast feeding women, Health Canada said in
a statement.
"The product Maxum Matragen is being promoted by the company as a prenatal
supplement; however, neither product has been authorized for sale by Health
Canada for use by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding," the statement said.
"Both products contain ingredients such as Ginkgo biloba, green tea extracts and
vanadium, whose safe use during pregnancy or in breastfeeding women has not been
well established."
Products containing these ingredients require a cautionary label warning
consumers to consult with a healthcare practitioner prior to use if they are
pregnant or breastfeeding -- neither Maxum Matragen nor Maxum Multi-Vite carries
such a warning on their labels, Health Canada said.
In addition, the daily doses for Maxum Matragen and Maxum Multi Vite do not
provide the minimum recommended daily dose of 400 mcg of folic acid and the
recommended 16-20 mg of iron for expectant, pregnant and breastfeeding women.
The company Seroyal International Inc. has voluntarily recalled these products
from the market.
Source : United Press International
