Health Canada seizes 11,400 vials of unauthorized peptides carrying three types of bacteria
Three bacteria were found in unauthorized injectable peptides sold online. Health Canada says anyone with injection-site redness, fever or chills should see a doctor now.
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Health Canada has seized more than 11,400 vials of unauthorized injectable peptides from a Chinese supplier, Shanghai ERP Peptide Biotechnology Co. Ltd., and from two Canadian online retailers. Testing found three types of bacteria in the products. The agency says they could be harmful to humans.
If you have injected one of these products and now have redness, swelling or pain at the injection site, fever, chills or a general feeling of being unwell, seek medical attention immediately. People with weakened immune systems face the highest risk. Health Canada warns that injecting contaminated products can cause serious infections, hospitalization and, in severe cases, life-threatening sepsis.
The seized products include Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, MOTS-C, NAD+, retatrutide, tesamorelin and tirzepatide. The agency says these peptides, often promoted for weight loss, muscle growth, anti-aging and wellness, have not been assessed for safety, efficacy or quality, and selling them is illegal.
The two retailer websites, truenorthbiolabs.ca and bcaxiompeptide.com, are offline. Health Canada has told ERP Peptide to stop selling into Canada, and the Canada Border Services Agency is blocking unauthorized shipments at the border. Neither the supplier nor the retailers responded to requests for comment.
To check whether an injectable drug is authorized, look for an eight-digit Drug Identification Number on the label and verify it in Health Canada's Drug Product Database.
How many Canadians bought these products, and how many have reported illness?
Will charges be laid against the supplier or the two Canadian retailers?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
By the numbers
How many vials of unauthorized injectable peptides did Health Canada seize?
Health Canada seized more than 11,400 vials of unauthorized injectable peptides from Shanghai ERP Peptide Biotechnology Co. Ltd. and two Canadian online retailers. The agency said the products could be harmful to humans.
How many types of bacteria were found in the seized injectable peptides?
Testing found three types of bacteria in the unauthorized injectable peptides that Health Canada seized. The agency said these bacteria could be harmful to humans.
Which six peptides were included in Health Canada's seizure?
The unauthorized peptides seized by Health Canada included Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, MOTS-C, NAD+, retatrutide, tesamorelin and tirzepatide. Health Canada said these peptides have not been assessed for safety, efficacy or qu
