Baby’s Bliss Gripe Water and Zhong Ti Xiao Er Jian Pi San, a product imported from China, are both the subject of a Health Canada alert this morning. The products, which are touted as natural remedies for stomach ailments in children, have been found to be contaminated. The Baby’s Bliss Gripe Water is tainted with the parasite Cryptosporidium, while the Zhong Ti Xiao Er Jian Pi San has been found to be contaminated with an unspecified microbial. The Baby’s Bliss Gripe Water was already recalled by the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for Cryptosporidium contamination in September.
Baby’s Bliss Gripe Water is a natural health product given to infants to ease the stomach discomfort and gas often associated with colic, hiccups and teething. Baby’s Bliss Gripe Water is sold by MOM Enterprises of California. The Health Canada alert applies to the apple flavor variety of Baby’s Bliss Gripe Water. This product comes in a four-ounce plastic bottle inside a cardboard carton. The label reads: “Baby’s Bliss Pediatrician Recommended Gripe Water Apple Flavor”. According to Health Canada, the Baby’s Bliss Gripe Water might be contaminated with Cryptosporidium. Cryptosporidium is a parasite that lives in the intestines of infected humans or infants. The parasite is found in soil, food, water or on surfaces that have been in contact with infected human or animal feces. The parasite causes diarrhea, dehydration, weight loss, stomach cramps or pain, fever, nausea and vomiting. It can be particularly dangerous for young children, who are more susceptible to the effects of dehydration. At least one infant in the US is known to have become sick after drinking the Baby’s Bliss Gripe Water. Symptoms of Cryptosporidium infection usually appear between two and 10 days after ingesting something contaminated with the parasite. Caregivers of children who were given the Baby’s Bliss Gripe Water should be on the lookout for signs of infection in children and themselves. If Cryptosporidium infection is suspected, it is important to seek medical attention.
Zhong Ti Xiao Er Jian Pi San is a natural health product promoted for use in children to treat stomach upset and digestive problems. According to the Health Canada alert, the product comes in a 20g pack in powder form. Zhong Ti Xiao Er Jian Pi San is manufactured by MOH Pharmaceutical Technologies in Malaysia and distributed in Singapore by Chung Kuo Refined Chinese Medicine Dealers Ltd. The health alert was issued because Zhong Ti Xiao Er Jian Pi San could be contaminated with an unspecified microbial. According to Health Canada, microbial contamination of health products can pose a risk to human health and may cause a variety of adverse effects, including bacterial infection. The product is promoted for use in children, who may be at higher risk of adverse effects, compared with other populations, due to their immature immune systems. Consumers exposed to microbial contamination may experience various symptoms depending on the type of bacteria present.
Baby’s Bliss Gripe Water and Zhong Ti Xiao Er Jian Pi San are not authorized for sale in Canada, and neither product has been found in any Canadian store. However, Health Canada is concerned that the products could have been purchased by Canadians travelling abroad or may been brought into Canada through personal importation by travelers or purchased over the Internet.
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