Consumer Alert: Turmeric supplements

 The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has recalled 2 brands of anti-inflammatory turmeric food supplements contaminated with nimesulide.

The products are called Fortodol and Miradin.

Nimesulide is a COX-2 selective, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is used to reduce pain and fever. The use of nimesulide is prohibited in Ireland and several other European countries, because of serious liver toxicity that is suspected of causing several hundred deaths.

“The affected product was exported by Hela Pharma in Sweden, imported into the UK mainland by Lepicol Ltd and in Northern Ireland by Natural Health Products,” FSA said

A Californian company called Donsbach, which typically exports the products to Sweden before they are shipped throughout Europe, makes the products in question.

4/24/09 10:49 JR