Well, that’s what the FDA says at least. It seems Herbal Science International, Inc. (aka Jen-On Herbal Science International, Inc.) is recalling a number of dietary supplements for containing ephedrine alkaloids, aristolochic acid and human placenta?! From the FDA press release:
Finally, the company is recalling Seng Jong Tzu Tong Tan, a product that contains human placenta. Human placenta may transmit disease and dietary supplements that contain it may not be lawfully marketed in the United States.
In a lot of ways, this raises more questions than answers. What is placenta (basically a bloody membrane) supposed to treat? How was it processed to make into a pill? Where are they getting all of these placentae?
It’s turning out to be a bad day for Asian pseudoscientific remedies.
More from the FDA…