Buying iron supplements? Read labels carefully for dosage, Health Canada says – Yahoo! Canada News

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Wed Jun 10, 7:14 PM

By The Canadian Press

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TORONTO – Consumers should carefully read the labels of iron supplement products as there is potential for confusion about dosage and a danger of ingesting too much of the mineral, Health Canada says.

Because iron supplements sold in Canada display dosages in different ways on their labels, consumers may misinterpret the amount of iron in the product and how much they can safely take.

“The potential for harm from consuming too much iron includes adverse effects such as constipation, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea,” the federal department said Wednesday in an advisory. “At very high doses, iron may cause serious harm. Children may be particularly at risk for overdose.”

The maximum daily dosage for elemental iron is 45 milligrams per day for adults and youths aged 14 to 18, and 40 milligrams daily for children up to age 13, unless otherwise prescribed by a health practitioner.

Health Canada is changing requirements on how information is presented on labels to make it easier for consumers to compare iron content in different products.

As of Jan. 1, all products in Canada containing iron must have consistent labelling information about daily dosage.

Prior to 2004, when the Natural Health Products Regulations came into force, single-ingredient iron products were authorized as drugs. They identified the quantity and source of the mineral (iron salt) on their front labels – for instance, “ferrous gluconate 300 mg.”

Details about how much “elemental iron” that quantity of iron salt provides (37.5 milligrams) are generally found on the side or back panels of the label.

But a review of currently marketed products shows that the placement and arrangement of dosage information on the labels varies, Health Canada says.

“Consumers should carefully read the labelling of these products and consult with their health-care practitioner if they still have any questions or concerns.”

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