Import Alert 54-12

(Note: This import alert represents the Agency's current guidance to FDA field personnel regarding the manufacturer(s) and/or products(s) at issue. It does not create or confer any rights for or on any person, and does not operate to bind FDA or the public).

Import Alert # 54-12
Published Date: 10/12/2023
Type: DWPE with Surveillance

Import Alert Name:

"Detention Without Physical Examination of Foods Labeled As Being Or Containing Siberian Ginseng"

Reason for Alert:

Section 10806(b)(1) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (the Farm Bill) (Pub.L.107-171), signed into law on May 13, 2002, by President Bush, provides that the term "ginseng" may only be considered to be a common or usual name (or part thereof) for any herb or herbal ingredient derived from a plant classified within the genus Panax, and only labeling or advertising for herbs or herbal ingredients classified within that genus may include the term "ginseng." Section 10806(b)(2) amended section 403 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act) (21 U.S.C. 343) by adding the provision that a food or dietary supplement is misbranded "if it purports to be or is represented as ginseng, unless it is an herb or herbal ingredient derived from a plant classified within the genus Panax." (Section 403(u) of the Act) (21 U.S.C. 343 (u)).

This amendment to the Act means that no food, food ingredient, dietary ingredient or dietary supplement may be identified as "ginseng" unless it is a botanical within the genus Panax. However, many dietary supplements and their ingredients that are or that contain the botanical
Eleutherococcus senticosus are often identified using the term "Siberian ginseng." Because plants within the genus leutherococcus are not the same genus as Panax, these products cannot use the term "ginseng" in their name.

Accordingly, the dietary ingredient Eleutherococcus senticosus or a dietary supplement containing it must identify the ingredient using the Latin binomial Eleutherococcus senticosus or the standardized common name "eleuthero." The term "Siberian ginseng" cannot be used.

Guidance:

Districts may detain without physical examination (DWPE) after conducting a labeling examination and confirming that the product is misbranded in that the product is labeled as being or containing "Siberian ginseng." The prohibition against using the term "Siberian ginseng" applies to labeling, including its use in the statement of identity, nutrition/supplement facts labeling, ingredient listing, and general information statements on the labeling. Please note that these labeling examinations should be conducted on both bulk and retail packages.

The following lists the standardized common names for the following Eleutherococcus senticosus and Panax spp. botanical ingredients in dietary supplements, in accordance with 21 CFR 101.4(h):

Latin Binomial Standardized Common Name
Eleutherococcus senticosus Eleuthero
Panax ginseng Asian ginseng
Panax pseudoginseng var. japonica Japanese ginseng
Panax pseudoginseng var. notoginseng Tienchi ginseng
Panax quinquefolius American ginseng

Foods that are labeled as "Siberian ginseng" appear to be misbranded.
Products listed in this alert will be subject to detention without
physical examination.

If a firm or importer believes that their product should not be recommended for detention under this import alert, they should forward information supporting their position to FDA at the following address:

Food and Drug Administration
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
Office of Compliance/Imports Branch (HFS-606)
5100 Paint Branch Parkway
College Park, MD 20740

Questions may be directed to CFSAN, Office of Compliance/Imports Branch (HFS-606).

For questions or issues concerning science, science policy, sample collection, analysis, preparation, or analytical methodology, contact the Office of Regulatory Science at oraorsprivatelabimportalerts@fda.hhs.gov .

Product Description:

Foods labeled as being or containing "Siberian ginseng"

Charge:

"The article is subject to refusal of admission pursuant to Section 801(a)(3) in that it appears to be Misbranded because it or its ingredients purport to be or are represented as Ginseng, but are not an herb or herbal ingredient derived from a plant classified within the genus Panax [Misbranded, Section 403(u)]."

List of firms and their products subject to Detention without Physical Examination (DWPE) under this Import Alert (a.k.a. Red List)


AUSTRALIA


A.G.M. Foods Pty Ltd
Date Published : 08/02/2023
106 Berrima St , Wynnum, Queensland AUSTRALIA
54 F - - 12 Ginseng (Herbal & Botanicals, not Teas)
Date Published: 08/02/2023

Desc: AmaZing Powder Concentrate

54 F - - 94 Ashwagandha (Herbal & Botanicals, not Teas)
Date Published: 08/02/2023

Desc: AmaZing Powder Concentrate

54 Y - - 99 Vitamin, Mineral, Proteins and Unconventional Dietary Specialities For Humans and Animals, N.E.C.
Date Published: 08/02/2023

Desc: AmaZing Powder Concentrate

Natural Vitality
Date Published : 10/17/2014
11 Aldinga St , Brendale, Queensland AUSTRALIA
54 F - - 99 Herbals & Botanicals (not Teas), N.E.C.
Date Published: 10/17/2014

Desc: Body Brilliance
Notes: (Name and address on product label) Bodyism Global Ltd. Bulgari Hotel & Residence 171 Knightsbridge SW7 IDW United Kingdom FEI; None ;Problem(s); Siberian Ginseng


CANADA


7338457 Canada Inc dba Karma Nutritionals
Date Published : 06/18/2013
207-27090 Gloucester Way , Langley, British Columbia CANADA
54 F - - 99 Herbals & Botanicals (not Teas), N.E.C.
Date Published: 06/18/2013

Desc: PhD Pharma-Greens Unflavoured Diet Supplement

54 F - - 99 Herbals & Botanicals (not Teas), N.E.C.
Date Published: 06/18/2013

Desc: PhD Pharma-Greens Lemon Lime Diet Supplement

7338457 Canada Inc dba Karma Nutritionals
Date Published : 06/18/2013
207-27090 Gloucester Way , Langley, British Columbia CANADA
54 F - - 99 Herbals & Botanicals (not Teas), N.E.C.
Date Published: 06/18/2013

Desc: PhD Pharma-Greens Lemon Lime Diet Supplement

54 F - - 99 Herbals & Botanicals (not Teas), N.E.C.
Date Published: 06/18/2013

Desc: PhD Pharma-Greens Unflavoured Diet Supplement

7338457 Canada Inc dba Karma Nutritionals
Date Published : 06/18/2013
207-27090 Gloucester Way , Langley, British Columbia CANADA
54 F - - 99 Herbals & Botanicals (not Teas), N.E.C.
Date Published: 06/18/2013

Desc: PhD Pharma-Greens Lemon Lime Diet Supplement

54 F - - 99 Herbals & Botanicals (not Teas), N.E.C.
Date Published: 06/18/2013

Desc: PhD Pharma-Greens Unflavoured Diet Supplement

BELIEVE SUPPLEMENTS
Date Published : 02/03/2023
405 Omer-Deserres St , Blainville, Quebec CANADA
29 Y - - 99 Soft Drinks and Waters Not Mentioned Elsewhere, N.E.C.
Date Published: 02/03/2023

Desc: SUPERFOODS & GREENS DIETARY SUPPLEMENT PINEAPPLE MANGO

29 Y - - 99 Soft Drinks and Waters Not Mentioned Elsewhere, N.E.C.
Date Published: 02/03/2023

Desc: SUPERFOODS & GREENS DIETARY SUPPLEMENT ORANGE VANILLA

54 A - - 99 Vitamin, N.E.C.
Date Published: 02/03/2023

Desc: SUPERFOODS & GREENS DIETARY SUPPLEMENT ORANGE VANILLA

54 A - - 99 Vitamin, N.E.C.
Date Published: 02/03/2023

Desc: SUPERFOODS & GREENS DIETARY SUPPLEMENT PINEAPPLE MANGO

54 F - - 12 Ginseng (Herbal & Botanicals, not Teas)
Date Published: 02/03/2023

Desc: SUPERFOODS & GREENS DIETARY SUPPLEMENT PINEAPPLE MANGO

54 F - - 12 Ginseng (Herbal & Botanicals, not Teas)
Date Published: 02/03/2023

Desc: SUPERFOODS & GREENS DIETARY SUPPLEMENT ORANGE VANILLA

54 F - - 99 Herbals & Botanicals (not Teas), N.E.C.
Date Published: 02/03/2023

Desc: SUPERFOODS & GREENS DIETARY SUPPLEMENT PINEAPPLE MANGO

54 F - - 99 Herbals & Botanicals (not Teas), N.E.C.
Date Published: 02/03/2023

Desc: SUPERFOODS & GREENS DIETARY SUPPLEMENT ORANGE VANILLA

54 Y - - 99 Vitamin, Mineral, Proteins and Unconventional Dietary Specialities For Humans and Animals, N.E.C.
Date Published: 02/03/2023

Desc: SUPERFOODS & GREENS DIETARY SUPPLEMENT ORANGE VANILLA

54 Y - - 99 Vitamin, Mineral, Proteins and Unconventional Dietary Specialities For Humans and Animals, N.E.C.
Date Published: 02/03/2023

Desc: SUPERFOODS & GREENS DIETARY SUPPLEMENT PINEAPPLE MANGO

Believe Supplements
Date Published : 02/03/2023
719 Boulevard Industriel , Suite 104 , Blainville, Quebec CANADA
29 Y - - 99 Soft Drinks and Waters Not Mentioned Elsewhere, N.E.C.
Date Published: 02/03/2023

Desc: SUPERFOODS & GREENS DIETARY SUPPLEMENT ORANGE VANILLA

29 Y - - 99 Soft Drinks and Waters Not Mentioned Elsewhere, N.E.C.
Date Published: 02/03/2023

Desc: SUPERFOODS & GREENS DIETARY SUPPLEMENT PINEAPPLE MANGO

54 A - - 99 Vitamin, N.E.C.
Date Published: 02/03/2023

Desc: SUPERFOODS & GREENS DIETARY SUPPLEMENT ORANGE VANILLA

54 A - - 99 Vitamin, N.E.C.
Date Published: 02/03/2023

Desc: SUPERFOODS & GREENS DIETARY SUPPLEMENT PINEAPPLE MANGO

54 F - - 12 Ginseng (Herbal & Botanicals, not Teas)
Date Published: 02/03/2023

Desc: SUPERFOODS & GREENS DIETARY SUPPLEMENT PINEAPPLE MANGO

54 F - - 12 Ginseng (Herbal & Botanicals, not Teas)
Date Published: 02/03/2023

Desc: SUPERFOODS & GREENS DIETARY SUPPLEMENT ORANGE VANILLA

54 F - - 99 Herbals & Botanicals (not Teas), N.E.C.
Date Published: 02/03/2023

Desc: SUPERFOODS & GREENS DIETARY SUPPLEMENT ORANGE VANILLA

54 F - - 99 Herbals & Botanicals (not Teas), N.E.C.
Date Published: 02/03/2023

Desc: SUPERFOODS & GREENS DIETARY SUPPLEMENT PINEAPPLE MANGO

54 Y - - 99 Vitamin, Mineral, Proteins and Unconventional Dietary Specialities For Humans and Animals, N.E.C.
Date Published: 02/03/2023

Desc: SUPERFOODS & GREENS DIETARY SUPPLEMENT PINEAPPLE MANGO

54 Y - - 99 Vitamin, Mineral, Proteins and Unconventional Dietary Specialities For Humans and Animals, N.E.C.
Date Published: 02/03/2023

Desc: SUPERFOODS & GREENS DIETARY SUPPLEMENT ORANGE VANILLA


CHINA


Hanzhong TRG Biotech Co., Ltd
Date Published : 12/08/2020
Natural Grain Biotech Zone , Chenggu Country , Hanzhong City, Shaanxi CHINA
54 F - - 12 Ginseng (Herbal & Botanicals, not Teas)
Date Published: 12/08/2020

Desc: SIBERIAN GINSENG EXTRACT

54 F - - 99 Herbals & Botanicals (not Teas), N.E.C.
Date Published: 12/08/2020

Desc: SIBERIAN GINSENG EXTRACT


ISRAEL


HEKMA CENTER
Date Published : 02/22/2023
Almaskah Street , Ar'Ara, ISRAEL
54 - - - -- Vit/Min/Prot/Unconv Diet(Human/Animal)
Date Published: 02/22/2023

Desc: S.G1 Siberian Ginseng Capsules

66 V - - 99 Miscellaneous Patent Medicines, Etc.
Date Published: 02/22/2023

Desc: S.G1 Siberian Ginseng Capsules

Hekma Center
Date Published : 02/22/2023
Ara , 1, El-Masqa St. , Ar'Ara, Ha Zafon ISRAEL
54 - - - -- Vit/Min/Prot/Unconv Diet(Human/Animal)
Date Published: 02/22/2023

Desc: S.G1 Siberian Ginseng Capsules

66 V - - 99 Miscellaneous Patent Medicines, Etc.
Date Published: 02/22/2023

Desc: S.G1 Siberian Ginseng Capsules


TURKEY


NATURALS BITKISEL URUNLER REMZI DURAK
Date Published : 10/12/2023
Yavuz Sultan Mah. , Korfez Cad. 3 Z Uyum Sit. 16 , Derince, Kocaeli TURKEY
54 F - - 12 Ginseng (Herbal & Botanicals, not Teas)
Date Published: 10/12/2023

Desc: Ginseng "HONEY PLUS HERBAL MIX PASTE"

54 F - - 99 Herbals & Botanicals (not Teas), N.E.C.
Date Published: 10/12/2023

Desc: Ginseng "HONEY PLUS HERBAL MIX PASTE"