AHPA Adds Grapefruit Seed Extract to Adulterant List

SILVER SPRING, Md.The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) added grapefruit seed extract (GFSE) to its Guidance Policy of Known Adulterants. Also as part of its Botanical Authentication Program, AHPA identified potential adulterating agents: benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, triclosan, methyl paraben or any other synthetic antimicrobial agent.

"While there are bioflavonoid-rich products known to be actual extracts of grapefruit, numerous published reports have clearly shown that some products labeled as GFSE instead contained various antimicrobial agents not approved for internal use," said AHPA chief science officer Steven Dentali, Ph.D. "Simple tools of chromatographic fingerprinting, or other appropriate scientifically valid techniques, can easily differentiate a genuine article from synthetic adulterants in this case."

A recent review of 10 peer-reviewed published analytical studies on material labeled GFSE from The American Botanical Council (ABC), the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia (AHP) and the National Center for Natural Products Research (NCNPR)  called attention to the long-standing issue its potential adulteration. This is just one effort in AHPA's Botanical Authentication Program. Though the program focuses on identifying known adulterants, it also provides information and training to ensure botanical identity. In November, the association listed Japanese Star Anise as a known adulterant.