Health Canada Advises Consumers to Avoid Certain Star AniseProducts

Health Canada Advises Consumers to Avoid Certain Star AniseProducts

OTTAWAHealth Canada issued anadvisory June 29 warning consumers not to ingest herbal teas or health productscontaining the herb star anise unless they are confident it contains Chinesestar anise (Illicium verum Hook.f).

According to Health Canada, it issued the advisory as aprecaution following reports in the United States and Europe regarding adversereactions associated with teas containing star anise. Reported reactions weretemporary and ranged from mild nausea to convulsions and seizures.

The advisory states there is no health concern with Chinesestar anise, which has a long history of safe use in foods. There is also noconcern with the common herb anise (Pimpinella anisum).Other varieties of star anise, such as Japanese star anise, are used fordecorative and aromatic purposes, but are not considered safe for humanconsumption and can be toxic if enough is ingested.

Health Canada (www.hc-sc.gc.ca) is requesting manufacturers ofproducts that contain star anise to provide evidence that the correctingredient, Chinese star anise, was used.