Latest news with #HealthCanada
CTV News
3 hours ago
- Business
- CTV News
Popular contacts brand recalls lenses over ‘visual disturbances' defect
A popular contacts manufacturer is recalling several lenses in Canada over a defect that may cause 'visual disturbances.' The voluntary recall is due to an issue with specific types and lots of Acuvue contacts, according to a notice posted Friday. U.S. based manufacturer Johnson & Johnson said in the notice posted by Health Canada that some Oasys Max 1-Day Multifocal contact lenses were found to have a 'high density of microbubbles.' The company explained this as 'microscopic voids' within the lenses that may cause what it described as 'visual disturbances, particularly in low-light conditions.' Johnson & Johnson said microbubbles will not cause medical harm and told wearers to contact it for more information. The company did not say how many of the affected lots were sold in Canada, when they were sold or through which retailers. Acuvue contacts recall ( Lenses of the same name appear to be sold online on sites like and Costco, as well as through eye clinics. The recall does not apply to all Oasys Max 1-day Multifocal contact lenses, but is limited to the following lot and model numbers:
CBC
13 hours ago
- Health
- CBC
Federal court rules Health Canada decision to block experiential psilocybin training was unreasonable
Social Sharing The Federal Court of Appeal has ruled that Health Canada's refusal to allow exemptions for health-care workers to use psilocybin as part of their experiential training was unreasonable. Wednesday's decision was the result of an appeal of a 2022 judicial review application in a case involving 96 health-care practitioners who sought an exemption to legally use dried hallucinogenic mushrooms as part of what is known as experiential training. The initial application for exemption was filed under the name of Jeff Toth, a Nova Scotia nurse practitioner. Health Canada's refusal of the health-care workers' requests for exemptions has been sent back to Health Minister Marjorie Michel for redetermination. The mushrooms, commonly called magic mushrooms, contain psychoactive substances that are only legal for use in Canada if an exemption is granted under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA). Such exemptions are reserved for psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy, which involves medically supervised consumption of the substance for the treatment of serious medical conditions including end-of-life distress or treatment-resistant depression. Late Wednesday, the federal court ruled that Health Canada's reasons for refusing to grant exemptions to the 96 health workers training to administer psilocybin were too arbitrary. Refusal of exemptions harms patients: advocate John Gilchrist, communications director for TheraPsil, a Canadian non-profit organization that advocates for legal access to psychedelic therapy, was "elated" with this week's decision, which he called a "very long time coming." Gilchrist hopes this leads the current health minister to open up access to therapies by training more professionals who can help treat patients with debilitating migraines or depression. He says Health Canada's refusal to grant the exemptions is "harming health-care professionals and, very importantly, patients who are the most vulnerable in Canada." The Federal Court of Appeal's decision noted that Health Canada changed its position on psilocybin exemptions between 2020 and 2022 with no clear explanation. In 2020, then Health Minister Patty Hajdu granted exemptions to 19 health-care practitioners. This was reversed in 2022 under Carolyn Bennett, the then minister of mental health and addictions and the associate minister of health. "Health Canada is not aware of peer-reviewed clinical evidence to demonstrate that health-care professionals need to take a psychedelic drug in order to appreciate what the patient experiences," the ministry is quoted as saying in the federal court decision this week. But Federal Court of Appeal Justice Douglas Rennie wrote in his decision Wednesday that "nearly identical exemption requests" were granted in one case and denied arbitrarily in the other. "The Minister can't make such a significant and abrupt shift without explanation," he wrote. WATCH | Psychotherapist explains what a medical magic mushroom trip will look like: What a magic mushroom trip will look like for medical participants 1 year ago Duration 1:32 Health Canada has approved a study with 20 Londoners who suffer from PTSD to experience therapy under the influence of psilocybin, the active ingredient in psychedelic mushrooms. Psychotherapist Jared Dalton will oversee the therapy. He explains how it will work. Wins will open access to treatments: lawyer Ottawa lawyer Nicholas Pope says this is the latest in legal wins that will help open up access to psychedelic treatments. Pope, lawyer for the appellants, said the health-care workers were approved in 2020, then denied based on a lack of scientific evidence of efficacy. "Health Canada didn't demand that level of evidence in 2020 and now is demanding it," he said. In May 2024, a Calgary man named Jody Lance who suffers debilitating cluster headaches was the first to win a Federal Court battle forcing Health Canada to reconsider his bid for legal access to psilocybin to treat his extreme pain. His case was withdrawn after he got approval for an exemption this year. Requests to access controlled substances in special medical circumstances are filed through Health Canada's Special Access Program (SAP). Lance's initial application under the SAP to help treat his pain was denied due to lack of research into the efficacy of psilocybin to treat cluster headaches. Canadians have had limited legal access to psilocybin under the SAP since 2022. Health Canada approved 56 SAP requests in 2022, 106 in 2023 and 85 as of October 2024.
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
10 best and worst deli meats you can buy at grocery stores in Canada, ranked by a nutrition coach: Turkey breast, ham, roast beef and other popular meats
Deli meats are a convenient go-to for lunches, charcuterie boards and grab-and-go snacks. Some are lean, protein-packed choices that make lunch a little easier. Others are heavy on sodium and saturated fat, with a side of added preservatives. For Canadians navigating the deli counter, it's worth learning the difference between a healthy pick and an ultra-processed one. Health Canada classified deli meats as highly processed foods, and for good reason. Many varieties are packed with salt and preservatives, which have been linked to increased risks of heart disease and colorectal cancer. That doesn't mean you have to give them up entirely, but it does make it important to choose wisely regarding which options deserve a regular spot in your rotation. This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle. As a nutrition coach, I know consistently eating balanced meals sometimes means choosing convenience. Deli meats are a super quick source of protein that can help people create more nutritious meals when they're short on time. Here, I've ranked 10 of the most common deli meats found in Canadian grocery stores — like turkey breast, ham, roast beef and Canadian-style bacon — using nutritional breakdowns and official health recommendations to give you a clear picture of what you can safely add to your cart and what might be worth rethinking. Processed meat has been under scrutiny for years. In 2015, the World Health Organization classified processed meats (like bacon, ham and bologna) as Group 1 carcinogens, meaning there's sufficient evidence linking them to colorectal cancer. In response, the Canadian Cancer Society recommended limiting red and processed meat to three servings or fewer per week. But that doesn't mean you have to cut out deli meats completely. You can enjoy them occasionally as part of a balanced diet, especially if you choose leaner, lower-sodium options. The key is to read labels carefully and prioritize minimally processed sources of protein whenever possible. You should also keep an eye on portion sizes to limit your overall exposure to high sodium and fat in processed meats. Health Canada uses 56 g as the serving size for sliced meats like turkey, chicken, ham, and roast beef, which is about two slices of typically sized deli meats. Claims you see on the front of deli meat packaging like "natural," "nitrate-free" or "artisan" aren't regulated in Canada. Instead, check the Nutrition Facts table and ingredients list. Here's what to aim for: Protein: At least 8 to 10 g per 56 g serving Sodium: Preferably under 500 mg per serving (Canada's recommended sodium limit is 2,300 mg/day) Fat: Lean options will have 2 g or less per serving Ingredient list: Shorter is better. Look for real cuts of meat ("turkey breast" or "top round") over vague blends ("mechanically separated meats"). To create this list, I started with Canada's most common and popular deli-style meats — turkey, chicken, ham and roast beef — and added a few popular extras like prosciutto, back bacon and Montreal smoked meat. Each meat was ranked using: Nutrition per 56 g serving: Protein, fat and sodium Processing level: Is it oven-roasted, cured, smoked or ultra-processed? Health guidelines: from Health Canada, Heart & Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Cancer Society Health Canada recommended limiting highly processed foods and keeping sodium intake under 2,300 mg per day. The Canadian Cancer Society also advised eating no more than three servings of red or processed meat per week. These guidelines shaped the cutoff points I used in this ranking. Per 56 g (about two slices): Calories: 56 Protein: 12 g Fat: 0.3 g (Saturated: 0.06 g) Sodium: 431 mg Carbohydrates: 1.1 g Turkey is a popular protein (Canadians spent about $466 million on turkey in 2024). It's lean, relatively low in fat and delivers a decent protein hit per serving. The ultra-lean turkey option from Schneider's is low in fat and sugar, high in protein and made with straightforward ingredients. Its sodium is moderate compared to most deli options. For health-conscious shoppers, this is a consistent front-runner. Per 56 g (about three slices): Calories: 56 Protein: 9 g Fat: 1.4 g (Saturated: 0.35 g) Sodium: 438 mg Carbohydrates: 0.9 g Chicken is the most popular meat in Canada by a landslide, but hasn't been a top choice as a deli meat until more recently. Chicken is a great deli option since it's more nutritionally balanced than other cuts. Olymel's version is nitrite-free, sans preservatives and contains solid lean protein, minimal fat and moderate sodium. It's a reliable choice if you want to avoid preservatives, and its flavour is neutral enough to include in sandwiches or wraps. Per 56 g (about eight to nine slices): Calories: 58 Protein: 12 g Fat: 1.1 g (Saturated: 0.6 g) Sodium: 464 mg Carbohydrates: 1.1 g Red meat has a bad rap, and while it's best to limit your overall intake, lean cuts will give you a hefty serving of protein with minimal fat, plus iron and vitamin B12. A grocery store staple, Maple Leaf's Natural Selections Roast Beef, is gluten- and nitrite-free, made from natural ingredients and has a clean, lean protein profile. With about 12 grams of protein and just over 1 gram of fat per serving, it'll help keep you full with moderate sodium. Per 56 g (about four slices): Calories: 56 Protein: 11g Fat: 2g (Saturated: 0.6g) Sodium: 481mg Carbohydrates: 0g Pork-based deli meats like ham and salami are the most popular type in Canada, but they can also be higher in fat and sodium. One exception is lean ham, including Olymel's smoked black forest version, which is nitrite-free, gluten-free and made with natural ingredients. At just 2 g of fat and 11 g of protein per serving, it's leaner than many traditional ham products, but sodium is moderate at around 20 per cent of the daily value. Keep in mind, even lean ham varieties can add up in sodium, so limit servings to once per week or swap in turkey to stretch your intake. Per 56 g (about three to four slices): Calories: 47 Protein: 9 g Fat: 0.6 g (Saturated: 0 g) Sodium: 455 mg Carbohydrates: 1.2 g (Sugars: 1.2 g) Ziggy's, which is a Loblaw brand, makes a smoked turkey that is extra lean and decently high in protein. It would make a killer sandwich paired with veggies and honey mustard on high-fibre bread. But sodium is still an issue at 20 per cent of your daily recommended amount in a 56 g serving. Choose this for extra flavour once in a while, but for more frequent bites, substitute lower-sodium cooked turkey. Per 56 g: Calories: 59 Protein: 8 g Fat: 2 g (Saturated: 0.66 g) Sodium: 421mmg Carbohydrates: 2 g (Sugars: 1 g) Peameal bacon — what non-Canadians ironically call Canadian bacon — is a leaner alternative to traditional bacon, and Lou's version holds up relatively well. It's low in fat and calories, but sodium still climbs to nearly 30 per cent of the daily limit in a single serving, which is 85 g (two slices), according to the package. Stick closer to a 56 g serving, or go with a single slice to limit your sodium intake. Per 56 g (about two slices): Calories: 61 Protein: 8 g Fat: 3 g (Saturated: 1 g) Sodium: 479 mg Carbohydrates: 1 g No Canadian deli meat list would be complete without Montreal-style smoked meat, used to make the classic sandwich on whole grain rye with mustard or paired with sauerkraut and Swiss cheese in a Reuben. M&M Food Market Montreal Smoked Meat gets high praise from customers for its tenderness and authentic flavour. Although it's not overly salty and less processed than salami and many cured meats, it's still moderately high in fat and sodium. It has a decent amount of protein from lean brisket, but its preparation means it's best positioned midway in the list as an occasional protein swap for sandwiches or charcuterie. Per 56 g: Calories: 78 Protein: 10 g Fat: 4 g (Saturated: 2 g) Sodium: 493 mg Carbohydrates: 0.6 g (Sugars: 0.6 g) Traditional kolbassa can be pretty fatty, but this European-style lean ham version from Piller's is higher in protein with moderate fat. The sodium content is respectable for a ham product, but it nearly hits 20 per cent of the daily limit with just 493 g in a 56 g serving (the package serving suggestion is 100 g with 880 mg sodium). The ingredient list is traditional, though it includes nitrates. Try pairing a small portion with extra veggies to balance sodium intake. Per 56 g (about three to four slices): Calories: 134 Protein: 16 g Fat: 8 g (Saturated: 3 g) Sodium: 986 mg Carbohydrates: 1 g (Sugars: 0 g) San Daniele is a brand owned by Ontario-based company Sofina Foods, which makes a range of authentic Italian charcuterie meats. This juniper-scented smoked prosciutto is rich in flavour, blending Italian salt-curing with Central European smoking. It's high in sodium, though — nearly 1,000 mg per 56 g serving — and moderately fatty. A little goes a long way, making it better suited to charcuterie boards in small portions (the package suggests 30 g) with fresh fruit, greens or whole grains to balance the saltiness. Per 56 g (about 10 to 11 slices): Calories: 224 Protein: 15 g Fat: 17 g (Saturated: 6.5 g) Sodium: 653 mg Carbohydrates 1.9 g (Sugars: 0 g) For a deli salami, this German-style option from Schneider's edges out other brands with its higher protein and slightly less sodium content than other brands. Still, it's high in fat and saturated fat, which places it near the bottom of the health rankings. Enjoy this one occasionally or pair it in small amounts (the suggested serving size is 30 g) with high-fiber, low-sodium ingredients like whole grain crackers or crisp vegetables.
CBC
19 hours ago
- Health
- CBC
Winnipeg to start treating trees for emerald ash borer next week, city says
Winnipeg will start treating ash trees in certain areas for the emerald ash borer starting next week, the city said in a news release Thursday. Those treatments will happen Monday to Friday between 5:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. until August and will be weather dependent, the release said. Trees on city property are treated by injecting azadirachtin, also known by the brand name TreeAzin, directly into the tree. The product has been approved for use in Canada by Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency, and its use in Winnipeg by licensed pesticide applicators will follow federally approved label directions, the release said. The treatments will target the following insect management areas, the city said: 25 — Beaumont, Crescent Park, Maybank, Wildwood. 30 — Central River Heights. 31 — Crescentwood, North River Heights, Wellington Crescent. 32 — Grant Park, Rockwood. 40 — Minto, St. Matthews. 41 — Wolseley. 42 — Daniel McIntyre, West Alexander. 46 — Dufferin, Logan CPR, Lord Selkirk Park.
Toronto Star
21 hours ago
- Health
- Toronto Star
Smartwatch chargers sold on Amazon recalled in Canada over fire risk
Health Canada is asking consumers to 'immediately stop' using a brand of smartwatch chargers sold on because they may pose a fire hazard. The recalled QTHN Smartwatch Chargers could overheat, the agency said in a recall notice, adding the recalled charges are a white USB-C model with the model number PD2001.
