Where do the blue-green algae used in food supplements come from?
Historically, large-scale harvesting of blue-green algae masses was done for research purposes, to study their properties, their possible use as therapeutic and antibiotic agents, and their potential as agricultural commodities. Today, the algae used to manufacture blue-green algal products are harvested from controlled ponds or natural lakes. Before or during harvest, some types of algae will naturally produce chemicals such as microcystins, and these toxins could be retained in the blue-green algal products. What is Health Canada doing about this situation? A broad sampling and testing of blue-green algal products was recently performed by Health Canada to measure the levels of microcystins in blue-green algal products available on the Canadian market and to determine the level of risk to Canadian consumers. Results of the testing, conducted at three separate laboratories, indicate that no microcystins were detected in blue-green algal products containing only the blue-green algae Sp
