Safety alert issued after PPE that may pose "serious health risks" sold in Canada

Health Canada has issued a public safety alert after an Ontario company was found to be selling personal protective equipment they say may pose “serious health risks.”

According to the federal health authority, Maskopia has been selling PPE, including gowns, masks, and gloves, on social media, as well as on websites like Kijiji.

However, the Brampton company – previously known as Medkem Canada Inc. – does not have a Medical Device Establishment Licence (MDEL) from Health Canada, which is required to import or sell medical devices, including PPE.

“Canadians are advised to immediately stop using these products and to dispose of them as they may not provide the level of protection advertised due to unknown quality and safety,” Health Canada said.

The department said Maskopia previously sought to authorize its gowns for sale under the Interim Order Respecting the Importation and Sale of Medical Devices for Use in Relation to COVID-19. The application was denied, however, because the items “did not meet all of the requirements.”

“Despite Health Canada’s direction to stop sale, the company continued to sell its isolation gowns to various health care practitioners and consumers,”  Health Canada said.

“Maskopia has also falsely advertised and sold non-medical masks as medical masks.”

The department has seized a number of products from the company, including N95 and K95 masks, isolation gowns, face shields and CPR face shields, cloth masks that were advertised as surgical masks, disposable surgical masks, and latex and vinyl gloves.

Health Canada is asking anyone with information on the sale or advertising of non-compliant COVID-19 health products to report it.