Viridian Nutrition to Recall Black Cohosh Root Capsules

LONDON Viridian Nutrition has agreed to recall stocks of Black Cohosh Root capsules.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), an executive agency in the Department of Health in the United Kingdom, revealed some batches of the product contained an undeclared plant species probably Cimicifuga foetida that is not used in Western herbal medicine.

London-based MHRA advised consumers to stop using the product and return it to Viridian Nutrition or health food stores.

The news comes on the heels of a report that a herbal product containing Black Cohosh was suspected to have caused a liver failure resulting in a liver transplant. Black Cohosh is the common name of Cimicifuga racemosa.

MHRA said last month it has received 53 reports of adverse reactions that are suspected to be linked to the use of Black Cohosh products. Most of the incidents involved liver problems, including abnormal liver function, jaundice and hepatitis, noted the agency.

For several years, MHRA has asked manufacturers of Black Cohosh products to include a warning about possible liver problems on labels.