Private blood-plasma collector Grifols, which has for months faced intense scrutiny after the death of two donors, is temporarily pausing plasma collection at all of its donation centres across Canada.

The company, in a statement on Thursday, said it proactively and voluntarily made the decision to pause collection activities after what it called “unfounded attention” on its practices.

“The temporary pause will allow Grifols to work with Health Canada and Canadian Blood Services on the framework needed to support the continued development of a sustainable and robust plasma collection network in Canada,” said Grifols in its statement.

On Wednesday, Health Canada issued the for-profit operator a formal notice of non-compliance for its failure to comply with blood regulations, according to a senior official with close knowledge of the issue.

The Globe and Mail is not identifying the official because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the matter.