We recently shared our difficulty finding "clean" raw curcumin that wasn’t contaminated with a toxic class 1 solvent residue. After rejecting three lots of raw tainted curcumin, we were forced to stop production of our Curcumin Pro product and place it on backorder. While CNCA has refused to use raw materials that have any class 1 solvent residue, the FDA and other industry standards did allow its use when no other option was “available.” Now, it appears that at least one trade organization shares CNCA’s view on these solvents and is putting their foot down.

The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) recently amended its policy to prohibit the use of class 1 solvents in the manufacture of herbal extracts. "AHPA's Standards Committee, which recommended the new policy to the board, wanted to make it clear that these solvents have no place in the manufacture of herbal extracts due to their unacceptable toxicity or status as an environmental hazard&hellip" said Steven Dentali, Ph.D., AHPA's chief science officer. In the past, their policy did not explicitly exclude class 1 solvents as regulators and trade organizations make exemptions for their use.

Class 1 solvents include benzene; carbon tetrachloride; 1, 2-dichloroethane; 1, 1-dichloroethene; and 1, 1, 1-trichloroethane. These solvents are known or suspected carcinogens that may also damage the environment.

The AHPA is the national trade association for the herbal products industry comprised of domestic and foreign companies such as growers, processors, manufacturers, and marketers of botanical/herbal products such as foods, dietary supplements, cosmetics, and non-prescription drugs.

We applaud the AHPA’s decision as we have long believed that the use of these solvents is unacceptable. While this is a step in the right direction, CNCA will not drop its guard. We will continue to test for class 1 solvents and other dangerous contaminants that threaten the safety and efficacy of CNCA supplements.

Sources:

Natural Products Insider