Gelatin capsules in China found to contain chromium
Staff Reporter
2012-04-17
12:23 (GMT+8)
Pill manufacturers have reportedly chosen to use low-quality gelatin in production, leading to health risks. (Photo/CFP)
China's State Food and Drug Administration has found 13 batches of gelatin capsules manufactured by nine laboratories containing excessive levels of chromium, reports the Beijing Morning News.
The batches in question were not given heavy-metal tests before being sent out of laboratories, the administration said, and the highest levels found were 90 times above safety standards. Authorities have suspended production and begun investigations, saying that they will punish violators.
"The chromium contained in the capsules is allegedly trivalent chromium, which is carcinogenic," said Cai Hong, secretary-general of the China National Pharmaceutical Packaging Association. The batches of capsules containing the chromium were found to be made from industrial gelatin. Cai said the excessive chromium levels were the result of low-quality gelatin used in production.
Producing 10,000 high-quality capsules costs about 150 yuan (US$23.80), said Cai, while the same number of a low-quality alternative costs just 60 to 70 yuan (US$9.50-US$11). The discrepancy appears to have led firms to opt for the latter.
Liang Suzhen, general manager of Zhejiang Lujian Capsule, agreed with the possibility of that producers chose to use low-quality gelatin for capsules. The cost of industrial gelatin is 10,000 to 20,000 yuan (US$1,580 to $3,170) a ton, though edible gelatin costs 50,000 to 60,000 yuan (US$7,900-US$9,500) for the same amount, she said.
References:
Cai Hong 蔡弘
Zhejiang Lujian Capsules 浙江綠健膠囊有限公司
Liang Suzhen 梁素珍
