CANADIAN authorities have warned consumers not to use mustard oil, which they fear may be contaminated. The warning was issued after dropsy deaths were reported in India. No cases of the illness have been reported in Canada. But authorities fear that mustard oil may contain Argemone that releases toxic substances, which could lead to dropsy or even allergies when applied on skin. According to the health department, mustard oil samples are being tested to determine if any contaminated item was imported from India. The warning from Ottawa follows a joint health hazard alert from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Health Canada about potential Argemone oil contamination. Consumers were told not to use even mustard oil with labels Stating "not for internal consumption" or for "external use only".
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