Denmark Issues Alert, Bans Saw Palmetto

Denmark Issues Alert, Bans Saw Palmetto

COPENHAGENThe Danish Ministry of Family and Consumer Affairsissued a rapid alert in February concerning saw palmetto in food supplements,based on concerns about the herbs effects on the human endocrine system. Thiseffectively banned the herb from the market in Denmark pending further safetyassessment. According to Birte Jenson, a chemical engineer with the MFCAsVeterinary and Food Administration, the withdrawal of saw palmetto was notbecause Danish officials consider the herb a novel food, as was initiallyreported, but because it is not an acceptable plant for food use.

The withdrawal of the product was made in accordance with Regulation178/2002, Article 14 and was based on a safety evaluation made by the DanishInstitute for Food and Veterinary research, Jensen explained. According totheir evaluation, there is no information on the safety when using saw palmettofor a longer period, and in general, it is of concern when a plant containschemical substances that can affect the hormone system.