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Chinese Ginseng Blamed for Three Deaths

Three others reported seriously ill in China

October 10, 2008

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China has banned the sale and use of a popular brand of Siberian ginseng after the deaths of three people who had received injections of the herbal drug. At least three others are reported seriously ill.

The latest crisis comes as China tries to deal with the tainted milk scandal that has caused worldwide concern.

The banned ginseng was made by Wandashan Pharmaceutical, a company based in northeastern China. Chinese authorities said they had found two harmful batches of the medicine and were continuing to investigate.

It's not known whether Wandashan markets its products outside of China.

Symptoms found in victims of the tainted herb included feeling cold, vomiting, dropping blood pressure and coma. Besides its injectable form, the herb is also sold in capsules and in herbal teas.

The six victims were injected with the drug at a hospital in Honghe Prefecture, the official Xinhua News Agency reported. In China, the drug is used to treat coronary problems and other health issues.

It's not yet known whether the ginseng contamination is related to the melamine-tainted milk scandal blamed for the deaths of four children in China and the illnesses of more than 53,000 others.

The latest products implicated in the melamine scare are Blue Cat Flavor drinks sold in Asian markets in the United States and Oreo wafers, Snickers, and M&M's imported from China to Indonesia.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has confirmed it found melamine in Blue Cat Flavor Drinks. Based on those findings, the U.S. company that distributes the drinks has recalled all the 100 ml plastic bottles of the products.

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