Discovered raw materials and ingredients that are blocked from entering overseas direct food products in an effort to treat and alleviate high blood pressure, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes
May 22, 2025
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The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced that it conducted a planned inspection of 45 products with high consumer interest among overseas direct food products sold by overseas online shopping malls such as Amazon and eBay, and blocked 22 products from bringing them into Korea because they identified materials and ingredients (hereinafter referred to as hazardous ingredients).
In order to prevent damage to consumers who are interested in improving chronic diseases such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes in advance, ▲ hypertension treatment and relief (15), ▲ hyperlipidemia treatment and relief (15), ▲ diabetes treatment and relief (15), a total of 45 products were selected for the test.
As for the inspection items, 90 types of ingredients related to blood pressure control and blood sugar drop were selected and applied, and it was also confirmed that the product was marked with raw materials and ingredients (296 types) subject to block entry into Korea.
As a result of the test, no blood pressure control and blood sugar drop-related components were detected, but it was confirmed that the raw materials and ingredients subject to block entry into Korea were displayed in products claiming efficacy and effectiveness of hypertension treatment and relief (5), hyperlipidemia treatment and relief (8), and diabetes treatment and relief (9).
In products that claim to be effective in treating and alleviating hypertension, it has been identified that cannot be used in food products such as 'Buchu leaf (leaf of Buku tree, 3 cases)', 'Andrographis, 1 case)', 'Arjuna (one case)', 'Rauwolfia, 1 case)', and the pharmaceutical ingredient 'Citrulline (L-Citrulline, 1 case)' were identified. 'Chubu Leaf' can stimulate the stomach and kidneys, cause abortion, etc., and 'Citrulin' is a pharmaceutical ingredient used for adjuvant treatment of dysfunction that persists fatigue and physical strength, and can cause heartburn, so caution is required.
In products that claim hyperlipidemia treatment and alleviation effects, the pharmaceutical ingredients 'Horse Chestnut (six cases)', 'Citrulline (two cases)', 'Muira Puama (one case)', which cannot be used in food products 'White Willow (one case)', and other ingredients derived from Whoopi (Gelatin, two cases)' were identified. Be careful because the extract 'Western deciduous tree' is a pharmaceutical ingredient used to strengthen blood vessels and can cause side effects such as dizziness, gastrointestinal disorders, headaches, and itching, and 'White willow tree' can cause gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney disorders, and anaphylaxis in people allergic to aspirin.
In products that claim to be effective in treating and alleviating diabetes, 'Gymnema, 9 cases', 'Chun Shim-ryeon (Andrographis, 1 case)', which cannot be used in food, 'Myrrh (Gugul, 5 cases)', which is a pharmaceutical ingredient, and 'Gelatin, 1 case' have been identified. 'Garbalcho' can cause drug-induced hepatitis, and when used in combination with insulin, it can cause blood sugar to become too low. 'Myrrh' is a pharmaceutical ingredient used for adjuvant treatment of dysfunction that persists fatigue and lethargy, and can cause side effects such as gastrointestinal disorders, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, and itching.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said it has worked with related agencies to prevent products with confirmed harmful ingredients from being brought into Korea by requesting the Korea Customs Service to hold customs clearance and the Korea Communications Commission to block access to online sales sites.
On the other hand, the product name, manufacturer, hazardous ingredient, and product photo were posted on 'Overseas Direct Food Correctly', which provides information on overseas direct food.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
