Pregnant women advised to avoid Maxum
Reported May 27, 2009
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
