Extremely high levels of arsenic has been found in a Chinese herbal remedy that claims it - by taking a daily dosis - can cure toothache and fever in infants. Sweden’s National Food Agency warns about the product calling it posing a “very serious health hazard”.
The toxic substance was found in a product called Niu-Huang Chieh-tu-pien,
which is claimed by online vendors of traditional Chinese medicine to cure
numerous conditions, including toothache, skin infections, anorexia and fever
in infants. The product is also sold under the Indian names Divya Kaishore Guggul and
Chandraprabha Vati.
“The recommended dose provides a daily amount of inorganic arsenic which in
a worst case scenario equals half a lethal dose,” said Leif Busk, a
toxicologist at Sweden’s National Food Agency (Livmedelsverket).
The product was discovered and removed from shelves in Stockholm this
summer, but could still be on sale in other Swedish cities. It can also be
bought on the Internet.
Local authorities in Stockholm have issued a warning to other European
countries through an EU alert system, according to the agency.
The Local/AFP/cd