Health officials are warning the public not to consume a sand ginger powder being sold at Burnaby’s Crystal Mall after two people who took the powder ended up in hospital with “heart irregularities.”
Fraser Health put out a warning Wednesday morning, saying Wing Hing brand sand ginger powder sold by Wing Hing Trading Co. Ltd. from unit 1162 at Crystal Mall may contain poisonous monkshood powder.
“Monkshood is the common name for a plant called aconitum,” stated the news release. “Roots of the plant, which look very similar to ginger root, contain the toxin aconitine that can cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness, weakness, irregular ventricular contractions and, in severe cases, death.”
Wing Hing brand sand ginger powder was sold in 70-gram packages with no identifying lot information on the packaging, according to Fraser Health.
The health authority advises people who have this powder not to consume it and discard it immediately.
Fraser Health launched an investigation into the sand ginger powder after two people presented to hospital in early February with heart irregularities after consuming the product, according to the release.
Fraser Health has since seized the remaining product from the store and continues to work with other agencies to make sure it is further removed from the marketplace.
If you experience any symptoms of poisoning, seek medical attention, and call the BC Drug and Poison Information Centre at 604-682-5050 or 1-800-567-8911.
If you have any questions or need more information, please call Fraser Health’s Burnaby Health Protection office at (604) 918-7683.
Follow Cornelia Naylor on Twitter @CorNaylor
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