Scurvy cases in northern Sask. prompts call for food price investigation [Video]

The Saskatchewan NDP is calling for an investigation into food prices in the northern part of the province after 27 cases of scurvy were discovered.

The disease is linked to a lack of Vitamin C from fresh fruits and vegetables. The opposition says many northerners simply can’t afford proper nutrition with the prices of groceries.

Researchers were surprised after the 27 suspected cases of scurvy were discovered by a LaRonge doctor.

“The physician didn’t really think it was, because like scurvy doesn’t really happen anymore but they ordered a Vitamin C level and it came back unable to be read which means it was so low in the body that it couldn’t be read at all,” explained Dr. Jeff Irvine, a physician researcher with Northern Medical Services.

The patients had one thing in common, lack of consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.

“So because it is not screening that goes …