AHPA Publishes ID Methods For Star Anise Fruit

SILVER SPRING, Md.The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) is making it easier for companies to distinguish between star anise fruit (Illicium verum) and its toxic cousins in the Illicium species, such as Japanese star anise (Illicium anisatum). The botanical trade organization added analytical identification methods for star anise fruit to its Botanical Authentication Program, which also contains background information, a review of general methods for authentication and a review of specific methods.

In late 2011, AHPA updated its "Guidance on Known Adulterants," part of its Botanical Authentication Program, to include Japanese star anise as a known adulterant. At a meeting around the same time, AHPA's board of trustees noted it wanted to help industry confirm the identity of star anise fruit as differentiated from Japanese star anise.

Japanese star anise contains toxic principles, and cases of poisoning have been reported from treatment of infant colic by administration of tea made from its toxic fruit instead of from the fruit of true star anise, which is also sometimes referred to as Chinese star anise.

In September 2003, FDA issued an advisory to the public to not consume teas brewed from "star anise" based on illnesses associated with its consumption. FDA did not identify the species of star anise implicated, but reported Japanese star anise has long been recognized as toxic in many countries and should be used for decorative purposes only.

"Industry is quite capable of obtaining the genuine article, and adulteration of this ingredient appears to be exclusively at the retail level when the wrong species is chosen and used as a traditional remedy," says AHPA chief science officer Steven Dentali, Ph.D. "Providing means to clearly identify ingredients where an issue of safety or economic adulteration may occur is something we believe will greatly assist our members and the industry."