ORILLIA – Police have issued a warning for Ontario residents about a potentially lethal substance being sold and distributed within the province.
According to the Ontario Provincial Police, people in more than a dozen communities in the province have received packages from online distributors that may contain sodium nitrite.
Police say if someone in your home has received a package from one of the following businesses, they should contact the OPP or local police service immediately:
- Imtime Cuisine
- AmbuCA
- Academic / ACademic
- Escape Mode / escMode
- ICemac
Sodium nitrite is a white, crystalline substance used as a food additive and commonly found in processed meats. Intentional consumption of excessive amounts of this substance can reduce oxygen-levels, impair breathing and can result in death.
“The OPP is calling on everyone to be vigilant of the online transactions and activity of family members and the arrival of any unexpected packages in the mail,” states a May 2 release from the OPP.
Police also noted that Peel Regional Police arrested a suspect believed to be responsible for providing this product on May 2.
Anyone with information or who has received a package you suspect may contain sodium nitrite, should contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122, or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
If you or anyone that you know is struggling with mental health and wellness, please call 1-833-456-4566 or visit talksuicide.ca.
