There are many eucalyptus-related products on the market. The Food and Drug Administration announced today that it will ban eucalyptus leaves as food ingredients starting next year.

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[Reporter Wu Liangyi/Taipei Report] There are many eucalyptus essential oil capsules on the market, which are advertised as smoothing breathing. However, considering that people may mix these capsules with medicines and cause adverse interactions, the Food and Drug Administration officially announced today that it will be effective next year. It is forbidden to use eucalyptus leaves and its extracts as food raw materials, and can only be used as food additives such as throat lozenges and spices.

The Food and Drug Administration announced today the "Restrictions on the Use of Eucalyptus globulus and its Extracts". From January 1 next year, Eucalyptus globulus and its extracts shall not be used as food raw materials, only as For the use of food additives and spices, but the date of manufacture of domestic products or the date of import of imported products before the regulations come into effect, they can continue to be sold until their expiration date.

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Eucalyptus leaf extracts such as Eucalyptol (Eucalyptol; 1,8-cineole) and Eucalyptus oil (Eucalyptus oil) are internationally approved fragrance monomers or natural fragrances. Fragrance ingredients available in our country.

The Food and Drug Administration pointed out that in addition to the use of spices, eucalyptus leaves and their extracts are also used as herbal medicines or over-the-counter drug ingredients in the world. Considering its medicinal properties and international management conditions, the Ministry of Health and Welfare has re-evaluated its use according to relevant procedures. Edible safety, it is considered "unsuitable" to be used in food for purposes other than spices.

Zhou Peiru, Director of the Food and Drug Administration’s Food and Drug Administration, said that eucalyptus leaves and their extracts have medicinal properties and are mainly used as medicines in the world. Therefore, after evaluation by the Food and Drug Administration, they believe that they are not suitable for use in food other than spices. the use of.

There are two types of eucalyptus leaf-related products on the market. The first is common throat lozenges and spices, but very small amounts; the second is eucalyptus essential oil capsules imported from European and American countries. There are about dozens of products, which are considered There may be potential risks if used for a long time.

Zhou Peiru said that these essential oil capsules are almost all imported products. The main ingredient is directly injected with essential oils, and the content is as high as nearly 90%. It needs to be managed by a pharmacist before it can be sold.

Zhou Peiru said that according to the report made by the European Union, long-term and large-scale use may cause symptoms of poisoning, and there may be a risk of hemolytic symptoms for patients with fava bean disease. In addition, the ingredients in it may also interact with other drugs, so it was decided to ban eucalyptus. The leaves and their extracts are used as food raw materials.

The new regulations will be on the road from January 1 next year. It is limited to food additives and spices. Spice products should obtain a food additive product registration code; throat lozenges, chewing gum and other products, if added eucalyptus leaves, eucalyptus Leaf extract and eucalyptus essential oil are used as spices, but they can still be used and sold.