Clipping Board » Drug Poisoning ─ It is necessary to be aware of the toxic side effects before taking medication.
April 7, 2010, Apple Daily
Fake medicine is known to harm health, but genuine medicine isn’t necessarily safe either! *Next Magazine* has exposed that "Tangerine Peel," a scientific herbal medicine produced by the century-old, reputable Chuang Song Zong Pharmaceutical, contains highly toxic pesticides. The magazine twice purchased unopened tangerine peel products from the company for testing, and both times pesticides were detected. Some of these pesticides are already banned, while the residue levels of others were found to be 20 times higher than internationally permitted intake limits. Patients consuming these toxic herbal medicines may find their conditions worsening.
The report revealed that Chuang Song Zong Pharmaceutical, a dominant player in southern Taiwan, was the first domestic herbal medicine manufacturer to obtain GMP certification. Yet, even with government endorsement, safety is not guaranteed. Consumers reported pesticide residues in the company’s "Tangerine Peel Scientific Herbal Powder." The magazine purchased unopened products twice for testing, and both times detected pesticides—even up to three types (carbendazim, prochloraz, and carbofuran). Among these, carbofuran is the most toxic, posing fatal risks if inhaled or ingested, while carbendazim may cause birth defects.
It is reported that many large traditional Chinese medicine hospitals and clinics in Taiwan use Chuang Song Zong’s scientific herbal medicines, and most Chinese medicine stores also sell them directly. Additionally, the company’s subsidiary, Song Qing Life Technology Co., Ltd., markets its own nutritional supplements through direct sales. Consumers can easily purchase these tangerine peel herbal products containing toxic pesticides through various channels.
**Pharmaceutical Company Blames Mainland Sources**
In response, Jiang, the manager of the company’s quality control department, stated: "Currently, Taiwan has no standards for pesticide residues in herbal medicines, which is troubling for manufacturers. We hope the government will establish regulations soon." Regarding the presence of highly toxic pesticides in their products, he emphasized: "The tangerine peel materials are sourced from mainland China, which is considered a 'high-risk product' for pesticide residues. When exporting to Europe and the U.S., we follow European standards, testing for 40 types of pesticides. Only compliant products are exported. Pesticides outside these standards are not within our testing scope."
http:/ / tw. nextmedia. com/ rnew……ArtID/ 68826/ IssueID/ 20100407
Exposed! Chinese Medicine Kingpin Sells Tangerine Peel with Deadly Pesticides
Fake medicine is known to harm health, but genuine medicine isn’t necessarily safe either! *Next Magazine* has exposed that "Tangerine Peel," a scientific herbal medicine produced by the century-old, reputable Chuang Song Zong Pharmaceutical, contains highly toxic pesticides. The magazine twice purchased unopened tangerine peel products from the company for testing, and both times pesticides were detected. Some of these pesticides are already banned, while the residue levels of others were found to be 20 times higher than internationally permitted intake limits. Patients consuming these toxic herbal medicines may find their conditions worsening.
The report revealed that Chuang Song Zong Pharmaceutical, a dominant player in southern Taiwan, was the first domestic herbal medicine manufacturer to obtain GMP certification. Yet, even with government endorsement, safety is not guaranteed. Consumers reported pesticide residues in the company’s "Tangerine Peel Scientific Herbal Powder." The magazine purchased unopened products twice for testing, and both times detected pesticides—even up to three types (carbendazim, prochloraz, and carbofuran). Among these, carbofuran is the most toxic, posing fatal risks if inhaled or ingested, while carbendazim may cause birth defects.
It is reported that many large traditional Chinese medicine hospitals and clinics in Taiwan use Chuang Song Zong’s scientific herbal medicines, and most Chinese medicine stores also sell them directly. Additionally, the company’s subsidiary, Song Qing Life Technology Co., Ltd., markets its own nutritional supplements through direct sales. Consumers can easily purchase these tangerine peel herbal products containing toxic pesticides through various channels.
**Pharmaceutical Company Blames Mainland Sources**
In response, Jiang, the manager of the company’s quality control department, stated: "Currently, Taiwan has no standards for pesticide residues in herbal medicines, which is troubling for manufacturers. We hope the government will establish regulations soon." Regarding the presence of highly toxic pesticides in their products, he emphasized: "The tangerine peel materials are sourced from mainland China, which is considered a 'high-risk product' for pesticide residues. When exporting to Europe and the U.S., we follow European standards, testing for 40 types of pesticides. Only compliant products are exported. Pesticides outside these standards are not within our testing scope."
http:/ / tw. nextmedia. com/ rnew……ArtID/ 68826/ IssueID/ 20100407