[News] Warning re. supplements from China

[epileric]

Just read this & thought it might be a good idea to let others here know:

BEIJING — China's scandal-plagued food and drug agency defended itself Tuesday against media reports claiming it covered up problems with excessive lead in domestic supplies of spirulina, a popular algae-based health supplement.

One state media report said the State Food and Drug Administration's allegedly conflicting statements about the Chinese spirulina industry triggered an investigation into whether the agency was taking bribes. The SFDA didn't directly rebut or repeat the corruption allegation but defended its inspections of the supplement, taken as pill or powder.

China agency denies claim of supplement cover-up

 

[Chaz1]

Epileric,

Great warning!! thank u!

Though I’d be well aware, major hesitant, seriously research (as much as one can) before investing in ALL supplements...

Research folks, big time before popping the supplement as not all as innocent as they appear.

 

[epileric]

More Danger with TCM

More Traditional Chinese Medicines imported to Australia were found to have dangerous ingredients.

The analysis revealed a plant ingredient called aristolochic acid, which is known to cause cancer and damage to the liver. They also found the potentially poisonous herb ephedra.

"We can use the latest DNA technology to investigate what's in these medicines and do a comprehensive genetic audit," Mike Bunce, a molecular biologist at Murdoch University in Perth told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Other products contained nuts and soy that could trigger allergies and weren't identified in the ingredient list.

But the analysis also found traces from animals that are restricted from trade because they are classified as vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered like the Asiatic black bear and Saiga antelope.

The researchers raised concerns about mislabelling of TCMs related to:

Reduce manufacturing costs.
Circumvent customs' scrutiny.
Using a misidentified product unwittingly.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/2012/04/13/chinese-medicine-traditional-hazards.html