ACTION URGED ON PROBIOTIC PRODUCTS
Two supplements sold in city contained substances not recommended for humans, watchdog finds
Two of 40 probiotic products surveyed by the consumer watchdog were found to contain substances not recommended for humans, and 60 per cent had no clear labelling about the live bacteria they contained.
The Consumer Council yesterday called on the government to come up with standards or legislation for dietary supplements to ensure probiotic products on the market were safe.
Probiotics are microorganisms that can be used in dietary supplements designed to be beneficial by improving gut microbiota.
Among the 40 products the council studied from October to November last year were those from PicoLabb Formulas and Procalun.
They were labelled as containing Enterococcus faecalis – a type of bacteria not recommended for human consumption by a joint working group of the United Nations food agency and World Health Organization.
The council said Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium were “relatively unstable, easily contaminated or have the risk of turning into pathogens”.
It added that the two strains of bacteria could display resistance to vancomycin, a prescription antibiotic.
A spokeswoman for PicoLabb, whose reviewed sample came from the US, said a particular Enterococcus faecalis, TH10, was used in its product and had been scientifically proven to be beneficial to human health. Reports of safety tests and certifications had also been provided to the council, she added.
The spokeswoman said the council had been negligent in making its accusations, and the company had passed the matter to its lawyers, who would send a legal letter to the watchdog.
ProFone said its Procalun probiotics product was certified safe for human consumption by the Japan Health and Nutrition Food Association.
It added that the product contained Enterococcus faecalis strain EC-12, which could help suppress common cold-associated symptoms, as well as improve the intestinal environment, according to past studies.
There are 17 medically recognised probiotic genera in the human body and most medical research focuses on Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.
Most samples reviewed by the council were also labelled as containing these two bacteria.
The product costs ranged from HK$99 to HK$788, or HK$5.30 to HK$52.60 for a daily serving.
The watchdog also revealed that only 15 of the samples contained all the strains of probiotics listed on the packaging.
Voluntary industry labelling guidelines drawn up by the Canada-based International Probiotics Association said products should clearly label the genus, species and strain of probiotics, as well as their quantities in colony-forming units.
Among the 25 samples with incomplete information, one was labelled with a number describing the strain, three with the genus only and 20 with the species.
All 40 products reviewed carried health claims, such as boosting immunity or reducing eczema.
But the council said the products might not deliver the results claimed. Probiotics can improve the flora of the gastrointestinal tract, but the watchdog said only healthcare professionals could determine the causes and treatment options for problems.
The council warned that consuming the products might have an adverse affect.
“Research at this stage has not yet confirmed how different probiotic strains help regulate the human immune system,” said Victor Lam Hoi-cheung, chairman of the council’s publicity and community relations committee.
“Some large-scale clinical trials have found that there is no significant relief [seen] in eczema symptoms between patients taking probiotics and those taking placebos.”
Half of the reviewed products claimed to be safe for children. One was said to be suitable for babies from birth and two others for babies aged at least 6 months.
But the council said that newborn babies should only consume breast milk or infant formula.
The United States Food and Drug Administration issued a warning in September last year after a premature baby died of sepsis after consuming a probiotic formula while in hospital.
“The council urges the government to refer to international industry standards or regulations of different jurisdictions and formulate relevant standards or legislation on dietary supplements, ensuring that probiotic products available on the market are safe, with satisfactory ingredients and efficacy to safeguard consumer health,” the watchdog said.