Consumerlab Tests Show Possible Ginkgo Product Adulteration

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.—ConsumerLab once again tested memory enhancing supplements, including Ginkgo biloba, Huperzine A and acetyl-L-carnitine. The finished products tested included well-known national dietary supplement brands. Of the Ginkgo products tested, two appeared to contain adulterated material; and two others contained less Ginkgo than claimed on their labels, one of which was contaminated with lead. Another Ginkgo supplement failed to identify the part of the ginkgo plant used, which is an FDA labeling requirement. In fact, ConsumerLab.com reported only three ginkgo supplements passed the tests. Similarly, only two of the Huperzine A products passed testing, with one failing product providing only 14 percent of its claimed amount of the ingredient. All five acetyl-L-carnitine supplements passed testing.
"Ginkgo extract is a moderately expensive ingredient," said William Obermeyer, Ph.D., vice president for research at ConsumerLab and a former chemist in FDA's natural products division. “Some companies put less of it in their products than they claim or use ingredient that has been adulterated with inexpensive material that can fool non-specific tests.” Obermeyer, who has been monitoring problems with Ginkgo for several years, noted highly specific test methods, such as HPLC, can expose such supplement problems and help companies improve and ensure a high-quality end product.