Last year, several inappropriate medicinal herbs in Seoul that were distributed exceeded the standards for heavy metals and residual pesticides.
The Seoul Health and Environment Research Institute noted on the 8th that, during the past year, it collected and inspected 1,293 cases of medicinal herbs distributed in the market, confirming 59 inappropriate cases.
Among the inappropriate items, the most common issue was exceeding the content of heavy metals. Cases of poor quality (origin plant and form), exceeding residual pesticide standards, and excessive detection of sulfur dioxide were confirmed. The medicinal herbs that received an inappropriate judgment were immediately sealed and reported to related agencies, including the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. The inspection results are disclosed at the end of each month through the Seoul Health and Environment Research Institute's website.
This year, the Health and Environment Research Institute will strengthen quality and safety inspections of medicinal herbs, focusing on five frequently prescribed decoction medicinal herbs (Ojeoksan, Ssanghwa-tang, Danggui Su-san, Gungah-tang, and Galgeun-tang) to respond to the increasing consumption of medicinal herbs. It plans to expand the items and number of inspections for effective components and genetic testing of medicinal herbs while enhancing precise inspections for harmful components, including mycotoxins. The items for testing the effective component content of medicinal herbs will include newly added Angelicae Gigantis and Mu-chae, increasing the total to 34 items.
While increasing the number of genetic tests for high-priced medicinal herbs, such as Baeksu-o and deer antler slices, quality management by distribution routes, such as herbal medicine wholesalers and oriental hospitals, is also being promoted.
Park Joo-sung, the head of the Seoul Health and Environment Research Institute, stated, "We will continue to focus on managing items with a history of infraction and frequently prescribed decoction medicinal herbs to continuously enhance consumer trust in the quality of medicinal herbs, and we will do our best to ensure that citizens can enjoy a healthy and safe life."