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The Department of Health (DH) today (April 6) urged members of the public not to consume a proprietary Chinese medicine (pCm) named "[Fu Xing Brand] Specific Qingyin Wan (American Ginseng)" (Registration number: HKP-14761) as it has been found to contain excessive pesticide residues.
The appeal is made in view of the detection of excessive amount of residues of three pesticides, namely quintozene, hexachlorocyclohexane and hexachlorobenzene by DH's market surveillance on the product.
Preliminary investigation revealed that Fu Wah Medicine Company is the sole wholesaler of the pCm. The pCm is manufactured by a licensed local manufacturer Luen Wing Chinese Medicine Manufacture Company Limited.
Investigation is on-going.
A spokesman for the DH explained that as pesticides may be used for the growth of crude drugs, and residues may still remain in such after cultivation. Given that excessive amount of the detected pesticides could cause serious adverse effects on human body, such as the nervous system and the liver, the DH has ordered the wholesaler to recall the said product from consumers immediately as a precaution.
Members of the public can call the wholesaler's hotline at 2711 2893 for enquiries and DH will be monitoring the recall.
The spokesman urged those members of the public who have purchased the product to stop using it immediately and surrender the product to DH at 16/F, Two Landmark East, Kwun Tong, Kowloon.
For those who have used the product and feel unwell, they should seek advice from their health care providers as soon as possible. DH has not received report of persons feeling unwell after taking the product.
Ends/Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Issued at HKT 20:11
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