USP Warning on Green Tea Extracts and Black Cohosh Dietary Supplement Labels

Filed in archive News , Treatment on July 2, 2007

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In Photo: Source Naturals Green Tea Extract, 500 mg, Tablets, 120 tablets via Amazon]

In lieu of the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) Dietary Supplements Information Expert Committee (DSI-EC)'s vote to require cautionary statements on the labels for green tea extracts and black cohosh dietary supplements, all dietary supplements containing green tea extracts are required to have the following cautionary statement on their labels:

Caution: Must take with a meal. In rare cases extracts from green tea have been reported to adversely affect the liver. Discontinue use and consult a healthcare practitioner if you have a liver disorder or develop symptoms of liver trouble, such as abdominal pain, dark urine, or jaundice.

[In Photo: Nature's Herbs Black Cohosh Extract, 80 mg, Standardized Extract, Capsules, 60 capsules (Pack of 3) via Amazon]

While those that contain black cohosh should have the following on their labels:

Caution: In rare cases black cohosh has been reported to affect the liver. Discontinue use and consult a healthcare practitioner if you have a liver disorder or develop symptoms of liver trouble, such as abdominal pain, dark urine, or jaundice.

The above requirements have been issued by the USP DSI-EC in response to the numerous case reports suggesting a potential link between ingestion of products containing green tea extracts and black cohosh and liver damage that the said office has reviewed.

According to Gabriel Giancaspro, Ph.D., USP Director of Dietary Supplements:

"The cautionary statements are designed to alert the public and healthcare practitioners of potential adverse effects to reduce the risks associated with ingesting dietary supplements.

After reviewing the updated safety information collected for these ingredients, the committee determined that when these articles are used and formulated appropriately, the committee is unaware of significant safety issues, provided a warning statement is included in the labeling section."

Read the full USP press release on this matter (a pdf file).