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【Central News Agency / Taipei, September 30】2009.09.30 05:59 PM
The Consumers' Foundation today announced test results for traditional Chinese medicinal ingredients such as red dates, goji berries, ginseng, and angelica, revealing that "health supplements have turned toxic." Shockingly, 100% of goji berries tested positive for pesticide residues, while ginseng was even found to contain banned substances like DDT. The foundation has urged the Department of Health to take immediate action to address and rectify the issue.
Traditional Chinese medicinal ingredients have long been regarded as gentle health supplements, often used not only as medicine but also in cooking. However, the Consumers' Foundation held a press conference this afternoon to disclose test results showing that these "health supplements have turned toxic," warning consumers to be vigilant.
In mid-July, the foundation purchased 10 samples each of red dates, goji berries, ginseng, and angelica from wholesale herbal shops, supermarkets, welfare centers, and organic specialty stores in the Greater Taipei area. The samples were tested for preservatives, sulfur dioxide, heavy metals, and pesticide residues.
Alarmingly, 26 out of the 40 samples were found to contain pesticide residues, with goji berries at 100%, red dates at 90%, and ginseng at 70%.
Among the red dates, nine samples contained synthetic pyrethroid "Fenvalerate" or the fungicide "Tebuconazole," which belongs to the organic nitrogen and heterocyclic compound class.
The 10 goji berry samples tested positive for Fenvalerate, the carbamate fungicide "Carbendazim," or the organic nitrogen and heterocyclic compound insecticides "Acetamiprid" or "Imidacloprid."
Even more shocking, one of the pesticide-contaminated goji berry samples was sold by a store in Shulin City, Taipei County, which prominently advertised itself as a "non-toxic home."
Additionally, the foundation pointed out that seven ginseng samples tested positive for banned organochlorine pesticides such as "Quintozene (PCNB)," "DDT," and "α-BHC." These pesticides have long been prohibited in Taiwan. One sample of "red ginseng roots" even exceeded the maximum residue limit for PCNB by a significant margin (1.0 ppm).
The Consumers' Foundation criticized the Department of Health for its contradictory standards in regulating traditional Chinese medicinal ingredients. While pesticides like PCNB are banned, the "Limits of Contaminants in Chinese Herbal Medicines" still permit DDT at 1.0 ppm, BHC at 0.9 ppm, and PCNB at 1.0 ppm for ginseng.
The foundation noted that over 90% of Taiwan's traditional Chinese medicinal ingredients are imported from China, but their quality varies. During storage and processing, issues like insect damage, mold, or discoloration often arise. To preserve the appearance of these ingredients, some businesses may use sulfur fumigation or add preservatives for bleaching and preservation. The foundation urged the Department of Health to take immediate action and also advised consumers to exercise caution.
Source: http://udn. com/ NEWS/ LIFE/ BREAKINGNEWS9/ 5168199. shtml
Herbal Tonics Turn Toxic: Pesticides Found in All Tested Wolfberries
The Consumers' Foundation today announced test results for traditional Chinese medicinal ingredients such as red dates, goji berries, ginseng, and angelica, revealing that "health supplements have turned toxic." Shockingly, 100% of goji berries tested positive for pesticide residues, while ginseng was even found to contain banned substances like DDT. The foundation has urged the Department of Health to take immediate action to address and rectify the issue.
Traditional Chinese medicinal ingredients have long been regarded as gentle health supplements, often used not only as medicine but also in cooking. However, the Consumers' Foundation held a press conference this afternoon to disclose test results showing that these "health supplements have turned toxic," warning consumers to be vigilant.
In mid-July, the foundation purchased 10 samples each of red dates, goji berries, ginseng, and angelica from wholesale herbal shops, supermarkets, welfare centers, and organic specialty stores in the Greater Taipei area. The samples were tested for preservatives, sulfur dioxide, heavy metals, and pesticide residues.
Alarmingly, 26 out of the 40 samples were found to contain pesticide residues, with goji berries at 100%, red dates at 90%, and ginseng at 70%.
Among the red dates, nine samples contained synthetic pyrethroid "Fenvalerate" or the fungicide "Tebuconazole," which belongs to the organic nitrogen and heterocyclic compound class.
The 10 goji berry samples tested positive for Fenvalerate, the carbamate fungicide "Carbendazim," or the organic nitrogen and heterocyclic compound insecticides "Acetamiprid" or "Imidacloprid."
Even more shocking, one of the pesticide-contaminated goji berry samples was sold by a store in Shulin City, Taipei County, which prominently advertised itself as a "non-toxic home."
Additionally, the foundation pointed out that seven ginseng samples tested positive for banned organochlorine pesticides such as "Quintozene (PCNB)," "DDT," and "α-BHC." These pesticides have long been prohibited in Taiwan. One sample of "red ginseng roots" even exceeded the maximum residue limit for PCNB by a significant margin (1.0 ppm).
The Consumers' Foundation criticized the Department of Health for its contradictory standards in regulating traditional Chinese medicinal ingredients. While pesticides like PCNB are banned, the "Limits of Contaminants in Chinese Herbal Medicines" still permit DDT at 1.0 ppm, BHC at 0.9 ppm, and PCNB at 1.0 ppm for ginseng.
The foundation noted that over 90% of Taiwan's traditional Chinese medicinal ingredients are imported from China, but their quality varies. During storage and processing, issues like insect damage, mold, or discoloration often arise. To preserve the appearance of these ingredients, some businesses may use sulfur fumigation or add preservatives for bleaching and preservation. The foundation urged the Department of Health to take immediate action and also advised consumers to exercise caution.
Source: http://udn. com/ NEWS/ LIFE/ BREAKINGNEWS9/ 5168199. shtml