Consumer Agency: "Diet Products Banned Domestically Distributed Through Overseas Purchasing Agents"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] The Korea Consumer Agency announced on the 1st that products containing sennoside, a constipation treatment ingredient banned for use in domestic food products, are being distributed through overseas purchasing agents. Sennoside is a component found in Senna leaves and can cause side effects such as diarrhea, vomiting, and impaired bowel function if misused.

According to the Consumer Agency, among 22 diet products sold on internet shopping malls that indicated the use of Senna leaves as an ingredient, 19 products were available for overseas purchasing agency services.

An average of 15mg/g of sennoside was detected in all 19 products. In particular, for 8 products in tablet or capsule form, it was found that following the intake instructions on the product label could result in consuming up to 34mg of sennoside. The World Health Organization (WHO) limits the recommended daily intake of sennoside to a maximum of 30mg per day.

The Consumer Agency stated, “We plan to recommend purchasing agents to stop selling and dispose of stock of foods containing sennoside, and request telecommunication sales operators to block the sale of these products.”

They also urged, “Selling or distributing foods containing pharmaceutical ingredients is illegal,” and advised, “When purchasing food through overseas purchasing agents, consumers should carefully check the ingredients and raw material names.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.