Health Canada has issued a series of foreign product alerts, warning consumers not to take the unauthorized products for fear of possible side effects.

The alerts, issued Monday, apply to the following products:

• Kui Hua Chut Lee San Bird's Nest & Pearl, Batch # WA00030.


• Dai Dai Hua Jiao Nang.


• Darling Capsules.


• Dali Capsules.


• Spanish Fly Capsules.


• Jie Jie Pills.


• Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao Wan.

The federal agency warns these products have not been approved for sale in Canada but may have been brought into the country by travellers or through online sales.

Kui Hua Chut Lee San Bird's Nest & Pearl is sold as an indigestion and constipation treatment for children. But Health Canada warns a batch has been found to contain high levels of contaminants that could pose a danger to children whose immune systems are not yet developed.

Darling Capsules, Dali Capsules, Spanish Fly Capsules, and an unnamed product, marketed as a treatment for erectile dysfunction, have been found to contain sildenafil — a medication that should only be taken under the supervision of a health care professional. Similarly the weight-loss drug Dai Dai Hua Jiao Nang contains the prescription medication sibutramine.

Side effects for the two medications include headache, gastrointestinal disorders and penile tissue damage. People who take nitrate medication are particularly at risk of developing life-threatening low blood pressure.
The federal agency also warns that Jie Jie Pills and Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao Wan, traditional Chinese medicines, contain aristolochic acid, which could lead to kidney failure and cancer.

Consumers with questions can call Health Canada at (613) 957-2991 or toll-free at 1-866-225-0709.

Advisory notices:

Kui Hua Chut Lee San Bird's Nest & Pearl

Dai Dai Hua Jiao Nang, Darling Capsules, Dali Capsules, Spanish Fly Capsules

Jie Jie Pills and Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao Wan