Toxic content of herbs damages human organs - NAFDAC

Abiodun OBA

The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has identified that the high toxic content of herbs is one of the causes of damages to vital human organs such as kidney and liver.

The State Controller of the agency, Mr. Lawan Dadingelma, who made the declaration in Yobe on Friday, therefore, called on herbal medicine dealers in Damaturu to obtain product registration with the agency to safeguard public health.

“The high toxic content of herbs is one of the causes of damages to vital human organs such as kidney and liver”.

Dadingelma said: “We strongly call on all traditional medicine sellers to come forward and update the registration of their products and businesses to safeguard public health in the state.

“If such herbal medicine did not undergo laboratory test and analysis, which is an integral part of the registration, the toxicity level cannot be ascertained and it could pose serious health hazards.

Dadingelma disclosed that registration of herbal products would facilitate comprehensive laboratory analysis to certify that herbs and other products were good for consumption.

He said that the registration was imperative, as the process enables the agency to examine and assess the level of toxicity of the herbal medicine.

Dadingelma added that to avoid health-related risks associated with herbal medicine, the agency requested producers to ensure proper labels on their products which must be designed with addresses, manufacturing and expiring date, NAFDAC’s registration number and prescribed dosage to be administered.

The coordinator further warned that defaulters would be sanctioned in accordance with the laws governing its operations.