The Department of Health (DH) today (April 24) requested two licensed Chinese herbal medicine (Chm) wholesalers, namely China Red Pharmaceutical Group Holdings Company Limited (China Red) and Skylight Pharmaceutical Company Limited (Skylight), to recall immediately from the market two batches (batch numbers: 241201 and 0162509009-01) of Semen Arecae, a type of Chm. Samples from the affected batches were found to contain aflatoxins levels that exceed the limits set by the Chinese Medicines Board of the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong (CMCHK).

     The DH obtained the aforesaid samples during routine market surveillance. Test results from the Government Laboratory revealed that each kilogram of the Semen Arecae sample (batch number: 241201) contained 39 micrograms of aflatoxins and 29mcg of aflatoxin B1, exceeding the limits set by the Chinese Medicines Board of the CMCHK (each kilogram of the above Chm should not contain more than 10mcg of aflatoxins and 5mcg of aflatoxin B1). Regarding the Semen Arecae sample (batch number: 0162509009-01), each kilogram of the sample contained 8.8mcg of aflatoxin B1, also exceeding the limit set by the Chinese Medicines Board of the CMCHK, although its content of aflatoxins complied with the above limit.

     A preliminary investigation indicated that China Red imported 80 packages of the affected batch of Semen Arecae from the Chinese Mainland to Hong Kong in January last year, each weighing 600 grams; Skylight imported a total of 30 packages of the affected batch of Semen Arecae from Chinese Mainland to Hong Kong in October and December last year, each package also weighing 600g. The DH is tracing the distribution of the affected Chm. So far, no adverse reports related to the use of the above Chm have been received.
 
     Hotlines for public enquiry concerning the recall have been set up by China Red (tel: 2857 6600) and Skyline (tel: 6222 7696).
 
     The DH will continue to investigate the case and closely monitor the recall.

     According to section 52 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132), selling any drug not of the nature, substance or quality demanded by the purchaser is liable to a maximum penalty of $10,000 and three months' imprisonment. Upon completion of investigation, the DH will work with the Department of Justice on prosecution matters and may refer the case to the CMCHK for possible disciplinary action.

     The DH urged members of the public who have purchased the above affected batches of Chm to stop using it immediately. Members of the public who have used the above Chm and feel unwell should seek advice from healthcare professionals.
 
     According to the Chinese Medicine Ordinance (Cap. 549), Semen Arecae, the ripe seed of Areca catechu L, is a Schedule 2 Chm. Semen Arecae is used to kill worms, eliminate accumulation, promote "qi" circulation, promote urination and interrupt malaria.
 
     Aflatoxins are a family of heat-resistant compounds produced by the moulds Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus parasiticus and related species. Hot and humid conditions and poor storage can contribute to a higher occurrence of moulds and consequently high levels of aflatoxins in contaminated Chm. The DH advises the industry to have strict control on the temperature and humidity of the storage facilities for Chm that is susceptible to mould infestation and members of the public to properly store Chm at a dry and cool place.

     The World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified aflatoxins as carcinogenic to humans. Aflatoxins can lead to liver cancer after long-term ingestion, and the risk for hepatitis B carriers is relatively high. 
 
     Members of the public may visit the following website of the Chinese Medicine Regulatory Office of the DH for more information on the adverse health effects of aflatoxins and proper storage of Chm: www.cmro.gov.hk/files/en/useful_information/public_health/pamphlet/Herbal_Medicines_and_Aflatoxin_Eng.pdf.

Ends/Friday, April 24, 2026
Issued at HKT 18:30

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