Key Takeaways
- Health Canada lab testing found bacteria in an injectable peptide seized from Sage & Summit Wellness Co. on Preston Street in Ottawa.
- The unauthorized products were labelled as BPC-157, retatrutide, hCG and other peptides, sold in-store and online.
- Injecting a contaminated product can cause serious infections and life-threatening sepsis, Health Canada warns.
Bacteria found in a seized injectable peptide
Health Canada is warning people not to buy or use unauthorized peptide products after its lab testing found bacteria in an injectable peptide seized from an Ottawa wellness store.
The contaminated product came from Sage & Summit Wellness Co. at 451 Preston Street, which Health Canada says was selling the unauthorized peptides in-store and on its website; the seizure followed a consumer complaint. Testing found Sphingomonas aquatilis/melonis bacteria in an injectable product. Injecting a contaminated product can cause serious infections, hospitalization and, in severe cases, life-threatening sepsis — with a higher risk for people whose immune systems are compromised.
The products were labelled as injectable BPC-157, hCG, Healing Blend (BPC-157 and TB-500), KLOW (BPC-157, TB-500, GHK-Cu and KPV), MOTS-C, SELANK, SEMAX, MELANOTAN-1, retatrutide and tesamorelin, plus oral PURE BPC-157 capsules. Some of the seized vials were labelled "For Research Purposes Only" — wording Health Canada stresses does not make a product legal or safe for human use.
Why these products are a problem
In Canada, injectable peptides are generally regulated as prescription drugs, and authorized versions should be used only under the care of a licensed health professional. Unauthorized products have not been assessed by Health Canada for safety, effectiveness or quality, and there is no way of knowing what is actually in the vial or how it was made. The store has agreed to stop selling the products in-store and on its website, and Health Canada says it will keep seizing unauthorized product and work with the Canada Border Services Agency on shipments.
Health Canada's advice is direct: do not buy or use these products. Anyone who injected one and develops a fever, or pain and swelling at the injection site, should seek medical attention immediately. Authorized health products carry an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN) or Natural Product Number (NPN) on the label.
The Twikup Take
Peptides are marketed hard right now for weight loss, muscle and anti-aging — and that demand is exactly what makes an unregulated supply chain dangerous. A "research purposes" label on a vial sold for injection is not a loophole; in this case, it came with bacteria in the product. If it doesn't have a DIN and a pharmacist didn't hand it to you, it doesn't belong in a syringe.
Image: Illustrative image.