Press Release

Chinese herbal tea found adulterated with western drug ingredients

16 Jun 2009

A spokesman for the Department of Health (DH) today (June 16) said Chinese herbal teas sold by herbal tea shops were found to have adulterated with western drug ingredients that may cause serious side effect.

The spokesman said DH mounted a special operation to enhance surveillance to herbal tea shops following a case of herbal tea adulterated with western medicine in May.

Laboratory results on the samples taken from three different herbal tea shops in Tai Kok Tsui, Kowloon City and Tai Wo Hau today showed presence of western drug ingredients, either paracetamol or both paracetamol and chlorpheniramine.

Paracetamol is a pain killer which can cause liver damage when taken in high doses.

Chlorpheniramine is commonly used for treating runny nose and allergy and is associated with side effects of drowsiness, dry mouth, blurred vision, nausea and constipation.

Joint operation was conducted by DH and Food and Environmental Hygiene Department this afternoon.

The herbal shops concerned were instructed to immediately stop selling the herbal tea.

DH reminded the trade that sale of herbal teas adulterated with western medication is an offence.

Investigation is in progress.

Members of the public should immediately stop consuming the Chinese herbal tea from the Chinese herbal tea shops concerned.

The spokesman said: "They should seek medical consultation if they don't feel well after consuming the herbal tea."