03.01.02
Kava Kava Banned In France, Other Countries To Follow
According to a January report from NNFA (National Nutritional Foods Association), Newport Beach, CA, the sale of kava kava was banned in France based on previous case reports from Germany and Switzerland that identify the herb as a possible causative agent in liver toxicity and failure. Kava sales were already banned in Switzerland and the U.K. and German authorities have notified kava product manufacturers that their licenses to market the herb could be withdrawn. Additionally, Health Canada is also expected to take action (see page 42 for more information).
In the U.S., FDA officials maintain that they are still in the “information gathering” stage and do not plan to take immediate action or issue consumer advisories. For its part, NNFA has joined a coalition of dietary supplement industry associations to evaluate the scientific evidence, monitor regulatory developments and address public relations issues.
According to a January report from NNFA (National Nutritional Foods Association), Newport Beach, CA, the sale of kava kava was banned in France based on previous case reports from Germany and Switzerland that identify the herb as a possible causative agent in liver toxicity and failure. Kava sales were already banned in Switzerland and the U.K. and German authorities have notified kava product manufacturers that their licenses to market the herb could be withdrawn. Additionally, Health Canada is also expected to take action (see page 42 for more information).
In the U.S., FDA officials maintain that they are still in the “information gathering” stage and do not plan to take immediate action or issue consumer advisories. For its part, NNFA has joined a coalition of dietary supplement industry associations to evaluate the scientific evidence, monitor regulatory developments and address public relations issues.