In the ongoing game of catch me if you can, these products have been caught. Continue reading Consumer alert: Blue Steel and Hero products
Category Archives: Consumer Alert
“No credible evidence” for Airborne
Airborne, the “natural” product that claims to prevent the onset of the common cold has agreed to pay $23.3 million to settle a lawsuit over false advertising. Continue reading “No credible evidence” for Airborne
Consumer alert: IcyHot
 This qualifies for mention here because this product contains menthol. Continue reading Consumer alert: IcyHot
More cases of aristolochic acid kidney toxicity reported
The use of products containing aristolochic acid, including botanical products marketed as traditional medicines, has been associated with nephropathy (kidney disease) characterized by rapidly progressive scaring and cancer.
The authors of this article from the Princess Margaret Hospital in Hong Kong describe 5 patients who experienced aristolochic poisoning. Continue reading More cases of aristolochic acid kidney toxicity reported
Safety alert: Shangai products
Consumers are being warned by the FDA not to use erectile dysfunction treatments being sold by Shangai Distributor, Inc. These so-called “natural” products actually contain undeclared drugs (sildenafil or a substance similar to sildenafil). Continue reading Safety alert: Shangai products
Arsenic poisoning from an herbal kelp supplement
It’s only one patient (not the one in the photo), but it might reflect a bigger problem.
Here’s what happened.
Continue reading Arsenic poisoning from an herbal kelp supplement
Consumer Alert: Encore Tabs
If this product sounds familiar, it is. The company selling it, Bodee LLC, buys lots of radio time around here to trumpet this dietary supplement as a “natural” way to treat impotence.
Now, the FDA as stepped in. Continue reading Consumer Alert: Encore Tabs
Toxic metals and pesticides in the ayurvedic formulation, Dashmoola
Dashmoola is a popular herbal formulation in ayurvedic medicine. It’s used to reduce fever and modify the immune response.
In this study, scientists from the National Botanical Research Institute in Lucknow, India tested the roots and stems from 10 herbs used to prepare Dashmoola. Continue reading Toxic metals and pesticides in the ayurvedic formulation, Dashmoola
Ayurvedic lead poisoning results in greater toxicity than lead paint intoxication
Researchers from Harvard School of Public Health in Boston believe, “the United States Food and Drug Administration and corresponding agencies in other countries should require heavy metal testing for all imported dietary supplements.”
The recommendation is based on what they found among people taking Ayurvedic medicines. Continue reading Ayurvedic lead poisoning results in greater toxicity than lead paint intoxication
Update: China’s response to the food export scandal
Chinese exports have been under scrutiny since the discovery of melamine in shipments of feed and pet food sent to the US.
Ongoing inspections in China have revealed an alarming list of substances, include paraffin wax, dyes, and formaldehyde in biscuits, flour, and seafood, according to the Chinese newspaper, People’s Daily. Continue reading Update: China’s response to the food export scandal
Consumer alert: FDA recalls Long Weekend
It’s is the third time this year the FDA has identified a “natural” product sold via the Internet for the treatment of impotence (erectile dysfunction) that was adulterated with the prescription drug tadalafil (Cialis). Continue reading Consumer alert: FDA recalls Long Weekend
Digoxin-like toxicity cause by the Chinese herbal medicine, chan su
Ingestion of chan su, a Chinese topical anesthetic and purported aphrodisiac, can cause a dangerous reaction similar to digoxin toxicity. Continue reading Digoxin-like toxicity cause by the Chinese herbal medicine, chan su
Consumer alert: Toothpaste made in China
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers to avoid using tubes of toothpaste labeled as made in China.
The warning comes after toothpaste containing diethylene glycol, or DEG, was detected in a shipment seized at the border and in products sold at two stores. Continue reading Consumer alert: Toothpaste made in China
More problems with tainted Chinese imports
For years, US inspection records show, China has flooded the United States with foods unfit for human consumption.
Here’s the latest from The Washington Post. Continue reading More problems with tainted Chinese imports
Consumer Alert: True Man and Energy Max
It’s business as usual. Market a product to enhance virility, illegally add Viagra, and sell it without a prescription as a “natural” product.
It’s a cruel joke. Continue reading Consumer Alert: True Man and Energy Max
Is contaminated feed killing pigs in China?
Here’s an update to earlier posts about the pet food debacle. It’s relevance to CAM is that it points out (again) the endemic problem of quality control in the food industry in China, and by extension the risks that a lack of oversight and quality control pose to people who use traditional Chinese medicines.
The New York Times reports an epidemic is killing pigs in southeastern China. Continue reading Is contaminated feed killing pigs in China?
Consumer alert: Urat Madu
Health Canada advises consumers not to use this product due to concerns about possible side effects.
Urat Madu is a red capsule sold to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence). Continue reading Consumer alert: Urat Madu
Worldwide implications of the pet food contamination debacle
I wrote about this last week. Specifically, how the exportation of contaminated ingredients from China that are used in pet food is only the tip of the iceberg. It affects CAM and mainstream medicine. And now The New York Times reports that this contamination is a world wide problem. Continue reading Worldwide implications of the pet food contamination debacle
Consumer alert: Eden Herbal Formulations Serenity Pills II
Health Canada advises consumers not to use this product. It contains the undeclared prescription drug estazolam (Prosom), which can be habit-forming when used for as little as a few months. Continue reading Consumer alert: Eden Herbal Formulations Serenity Pills II
Consumer alert: Chinese herbal medicine Joy of Love is recalled
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced a nationwide recall of H S Joy of Love dietary supplement because it could interact with prescription drugs. Continue reading Consumer alert: Chinese herbal medicine Joy of Love is recalled