| U.S. Food and Drug Administration |
FDA News Release, Nov 21, 2000
East Earth Herb Recalls Jade Pharmacy Brand Meridian Circulation and Quell
Fire Because of Possible Health Risk
EUGENE, OR (November 21, 2000) - East Earth Herb, Inc. is recalling Jade
Pharmacy brand Meridian Circulation tablets and liquid extract and Jade Pharmacy
brand Quell Fire tablets because they may present a serious health hazard to
consumers. The products contain aristolochic acid. Aristolochic acid is a potent
carcinogen and nephrotoxin found in certain plants and botanicals. This chemical
can cause serious kidney damage and the use of products that contain
aristolochic acid has been associated with several occurrences of kidney
failure. The use of aristolochic acid containing products has been linked to
increased risk of kidney cancer in people who have consumed it.
Jade Pharmacy brand Meridian Circulation, and Jade Pharmacy brand Quell Fire
were distributed throughout the United States through licensed health
practitioners.
Meridian Circulation and Quell Fire are packaged under the Jade Pharmacy
label. Meridian Circulation is available in bottles of 1 oz., 2 oz., and 4 oz.
liquid extract and 50-ct., 150-ct., and 300-ct. tablets. Quell Fire is available
in 50-ct., 150-ct., and 300-ct. tablets.
No illnesses have been reported to date.
The recall was the result of a notification by the FDA that recommended
manufacturers test products that contain herbs that may be contaminated with
aristolochic acids. East Earth Herb has detected aristolochic acid in Jade
Pharmacy brand Meridian Circulation and Jade Pharmacy brand Quell Fire. The
company has reformulated these products to ensure that in the future no herb in
the formula contains or may be adulterated with aristolochic acid.
The lot numbers covered in this recall are:
| PRODUCT |
Lot Number |
Expiration Date |
| Meridian Circulation tablets |
# 2404 |
9/01 |
| Meridian Circulation tablets |
# 2952 |
5/03 |
| Meridian Circulation tablets |
# 3506 |
12/04 |
| Meridian Circulation liquid |
# 9609097 |
11/01 |
| Meridian Circulation liquid |
# 9707062 |
9/02 |
| Meridian Circulation liquid |
# 9804021 |
6/03 |
| Meridian Circulation liquid |
# 9907026 |
9/04 |
| Quell Fire tablets |
# 2079 |
4/01 |
| Quell Fire tablets |
# 2623 |
4/02 |
| Quell Fire tablets |
# 2832 |
11/02 |
| Quell Fire tablets |
# 3012 |
8/03 |
| Quell Fire tablets |
# 3140 |
11/03 |
| Quell Fire tablets |
# 3553 |
4/04 |
| Quell Fire tablets |
# 3830 |
7/05 |
Quell Fire liquid extracts are not affected by this recall.
Consumers who have purchased Jade Pharmacy brand Meridian Circulation tablets
or liquid or Jade Pharmacy brand Quell Fire tablets are urged to discontinue use
of the product and return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Consumers with questions may contact East Earth Herb at 1-800-827-4372.
The FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. The FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.
The text in this article was prepared by the FDA Office of Public Affairs.