• Up to date information
  • On the pulse
  • Interest in our Industry
Botanicals_image_1_food_labelling_services_1585826766

EC looks to implement “controversial" ban of botanical species used in supplements

The European Commission (EC) is looking to ban several botanical species containing hydroxyanthracene derivatives widely used in food supplements and herbal medicinal products for their laxative effect.

 

Fod the full article, please click HERE

 

Food Labelling Services comments:

A lack of clarity on the difference between a herbal medicine and a food supplement containing botanical ingredients has left a grey area in regulation. With health claim assessments  for botanicals officially on hold and no clear guidelines on safe consumption levels, advising on this group of supplements is difficult.

However, this draft regulation will potentially restrict the use of aloe-emodinm danthron and all extract in which these ibotanicals are present. Other botanicals that could be affected are the rhizome of Rheum palmatum L, Rheum officinale Baillon root and their hybrids, the bark of Rhamnus frangula L, Rhamnus purshiana DC, and the extracts from the leaf and fruit of Cassia senna L, which would have a huge impact.

These botanicals are authorised for use in Italy, and allowed in THM (Traditional Herbal Medicines)

There is no safe daily intake set by EFSA that does not have a harmful effect on human health. This has forced the commission into banning plants containing hydroxyanthracenes.