November 29, 2000
Web posted at: 9:39 AM EST (1439 GMT)
WASHINGTON (AP) -- An Oregon company is recalling two brands of Chinese herbs because they may pose a serious health hazard: They were contaminated with a chemical that can destroy the kidneys.
East Earth Herb Inc. of Eugene, Oregon, said it has detected the chemical, called aristolochic acid, in certain batches of the following products: Jade Pharmacy brand Meridian Circulation tablets and liquid extract, and Jade Pharmacy brand Quell Fire tablets.
Do not consume the recalled products, which may be returned to the place of purchase for a refund, East Earth said. Consumers with questions may call the company at 1-800-827-4372.
The Food and Drug Administration had ordered dietary supplement manufacturers to test botanical products for aristolochic acid, a highly toxic chemical that can be found in some Chinese herbs.
The FDA last summer stopped imports of the herb family, called Aristolochia, after reports of kidney failure from Britain and Belgium. No one in the United States has been reported injured yet, but the FDA worried that the chemical might have contaminated other products still on the market.
East Earth said it detected aristolochic acid in some products last August and reformulated the brands to use ingredients that don't bear a contamination risk. A company spokeswoman wouldn't say why a recall wasn't immediately announced. The FDA's own testing turned up the chemical and the agency this month requested a recall.
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