UPDATE: Hepatitis cases linked to turmeric supplements rumble on as incidences rise to ten
In an update to the current list of withdrawn products, the country’s Ministry of Health identifies six new products linked to acute cholestatic hepatitis as featured on NutraIngredients last week.
The tenth case, identified yesterday (21 May), is linked to the consumption of the product 'Turmeric 95% Maximum (production lot code 18L264 expiry 10/2021) produced by EKAPPA LABORATORI srl on behalf of Naturando Srl.
The product joins the list reported up to 21 May that includes ‘BAI aromatic turmeric complex’ on behalf of the Vitamin shop, ‘Tumercur Sanandrea’ and ‘MOVART Scharper SpA plant in Nichelino.’
Other products identified include ‘Curcuma Meriva 95% 520mg Piperine 5mg Pharmacy dr. Guys, Malcontenta’ and ‘Curcuma "Good nature" Colfiorito.’
In an update to the listed products on 16 May the Institute note that the correct lots are now 'Curcumin Plus 95% piperine line @ lot 2077-LOT 19B914' and not '2077-LOT 198914' and 'Curcumin Plus 95% piperine line @ 18c590' and not '18e590'
“Consumers are urged as a precaution to temporarily suspend the consumption of these products,” said Giovanni D'Agata, president of the Rights Office.
“Checks are underway to identify the cause responsible for the cases of hepatitis,” he added. “The supplement recall of supplements was published on the new portal dedicated to food warnings of the Ministry of Health.”
Four earlier hepatitis cases
The products listed follow on from a previous list issued by the Italy’s National Institute of Health in which a number of products were implicated in four cases of acute cholestatic hepatitis.
Authorities identified one of the products on the 16 May as ‘Curcumin Plus 95% Plus Piperine Line @ & vitamins B1, B2, B6 1000 mg / 60 tablets.’
This followed on from a batch of products identified on 10 May that included ‘Curcumina Plus 95 percent (production lot code 18L823 - expiration date Oct 2021)
Another batch of a similar product, Curcumina 95 percent (production lot code 18M861 - expiration date of November 2021) was also recalled.
Authorities named the firm ‘NI.VA. Di Destro Franco and Masetto Loretta SNC,’ as marketers and distributors of the product under the ‘Line @’ brand online.
The products' manufacture takes place at the FRAMA SRL plant located in via Panà 56 / A, Noventa Padovana (PD).
In commenting on the latest products identified, the country’s Ministry of Health repeated its warning urging consumers as a precaution to “temporarily suspend the consumption of these products.
“Checks are underway to identify the cause responsible for these hepatitis cases,” they reiterated.
