Recently, a case tried by the Dongguan Second Intermediate People's Court has drawn public attention. A herbal tea shop owner in Shatian Town, surnamed Li, illegally added pharmaceutical ingredients such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen to his products in an attempt to enhance their "therapeutic effects." The court ultimately sentenced him to six months in prison with a one-year probation and imposed a fine of 2,000 yuan.

This practice of mixing Western medicine into traditional beverages is shocking. Consumers believe they are drinking health-boosting herbal tea, but in reality, they are unknowingly consuming a "drug cocktail." This completely deviates from the original purpose of wellness and poses a serious threat to public health. Shenzhen International Food Exhibition has learned that such adulteration practices often stem from misguided attempts to create quick-effect health products.

China's Food Safety Law explicitly prohibits the addition of pharmaceutical ingredients to food. When consumers unknowingly ingest drugs, they face significant health risks due to uncontrolled dosages. Taking ibuprofen as an example, excessive intake may lead to gastrointestinal bleeding, liver and kidney damage, and other complications. If combined with other medications, dangerous drug interactions could occur.

It is worth noting that the illegal addition of Western medicine to herbal tea is not an isolated incident. In recent years, similar violations have occurred repeatedly. Even worse, some food vendors have adulterated hot pot bases and other products with pharmaceutical substances, falsely marketing them as "herbal health supplements." Shenzhen International Food Exhibition has come to understand that these deceptive practices are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their methods of concealment.

Why do unscrupulous businesses prefer to disguise illegal practices under the name of traditional Chinese medicine? On one hand, they exploit the "medicinal and edible" nature of Chinese herbs to circumvent regulations. On the other hand, they take advantage of consumers' trust in traditional Chinese medicine, packaging the effects of Western drugs as "secret family recipes" or "precious herbal extracts." For instance, adding antidiarrheal drugs to hot pot bases creates the illusion of being "non-irritating," misleading consumers.

To eliminate such practices, a joint effort from multiple parties is needed. Consumers should improve their health literacy and clearly distinguish between food, health supplements, and medications. Regulatory authorities must strengthen inspections, improve traceability mechanisms, and impose severe penalties on violators. Only in this way can public health be truly safeguarded and the integrity of traditional Chinese medicine culture be preserved.

If you would like to learn more about the food industry, please visit the SIAL China website for more information.

Source: China Food Safety Net

If there is infringement, please contact delete.