Health Canada, May 16 2002
2002-38
May 16, 2002
Warning
Warning not to consume Longdan and Lung Tan Xie Gan products
OTTAWA - Health Canada is advising Canadians not
to consume any Longdan or Lung Tan Xie Gan products as they may
contain herbs that contain Aristolochic Acid. Aristolochic Acid is
considered to be carcinogenic and has been shown to cause mutations
in human cells and end-stage kidney failure. Aristolochic Acid is
potentially harmful to humans at any concentration.
A Health Canada investigation identified the following Longdan
and Lung Tan Xie Gan products sold in Canada:
-
Longdan Xiegan Wan: A red, blue and white
paper envelope, which contains single doses in plastic wrap
envelopes. Made by China Beijing Tong-Ren Tang, Beijing, China.
-
Lung Tan Xie Gan Pills: A green and white
cardboard package with red letters, which contains 100 pills in a
glass bottle. Made by Kwangchow Pharmaceutical Industry Co.,
KwangChow, China.
-
Longdan Xie Gan Wan: White cardboard packaging
with green highlights and black lettering, containing 30 pills in
a glass bottle. Made by KwangChow First Chinese Medicine Factory,
China.
-
Longdan Xie Ganwan: Predominantly green
cardboard packaging with white accents and gold lettering,
containing pills in a glass bottle. Made in Sze Chuan, China.
-
Concentrated Lung-Tan-Xie-Gan Pills: White
cardboard packaging with green accents and red lettering. Contains
pills in a white plastic bottle. Made by China Beijing Tong-Ren
Tang, Beijing, China.
Health Canada is working with the manufacturers, distributors and
importers to recall the products sold in Canada. A customs alert has
also been issued, to prevent the importation into Canada of Longdan
and Lung Tan Xie Gan products.
Health Canada first issued a warning on Aristolochic Acid in
November 1999. It was determined at that time that this ingredient
posed a Class I Health Hazard, meaning that there is a reasonable
probability that the use of, or exposure to, a product will cause
serious adverse health effects or death. There have been no reports
of adverse effects related to Aristolochic Acid in Canada.
The text in this article was prepared by Health Canada.