Are Weight Loss Herbal Pills Safe? Expert Insights on Zhongle Capsules - Pharmacology

Dr. Huang Yicheng reply Pharmacology

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Food products do not need to display the so-called "Department of Health Food Number" (衛署食字號); as long as they are produced by qualified manufacturers using legally sourced food ingredients, they can be marketed independently.
The manufacturers are responsible for self-management, but their products must comply with food hygiene regulations concerning hygiene, safety, labeling, and advertising.
Products labeled with the "Department of Health Food Number" simply indicate that the Department of Health recognizes the product as food and not as a pharmaceutical, and it does not imply that the product has passed laboratory testing.
Tablet and capsule forms of food use food-grade ingredients, designed for consumer convenience, resembling pharmaceutical forms.
Therefore, regulations require that the packaging clearly states "food" to avoid misleading consumers into thinking they are pharmaceuticals.
Currently, there are two categories of food numbers (the "public number" of the Department of Health) available on the market: (1) Imported tablet and capsule foods - "This product has been verified and registered by the Department of Health under Food Number ○○○○○○○○○○ as recognized food": This type of product resembles pharmaceutical forms, and to prevent confusion during customs clearance regarding whether it is food or a drug, such foods must apply for verification and registration with the Department of Health.
Their ingredients, formulations, and sources are reviewed and confirmed as food rather than drugs, and after obtaining the approval document, manufacturers can apply to customs to import under the designation of "food." (2) Domestic formula inquiry food - "This product has been reviewed by the Department of Health under Food Number ○○○○○○○○○○ as recognized food": This is for domestic manufacturers to inquire whether the ingredients they intend to use for production can be classified as food.
Manufacturers provide their ingredient formulations to the Department of Health for management inquiries, and the Department conducts a review service for the formulation, issuing a document confirming it as food to prevent the use of unsafe ingredients as food.
These numbers are not mandatory labels; they only indicate correspondence between the manufacturer and the Department of Health.
However, manufacturers believe that having a number makes it easier to persuade consumers to purchase, and consumers seem to rely heavily on these so-called "numbers." If a product is to display or reference the Department of Health's public number, it must fully quote the original intent of the document, as in the text within the quotation marks above; merely stating "Department of Health Food Number" is a violation.
Food primarily provides the nutrients and calories needed by the human body and is not intended for treating diseases.
Regardless of their form, they cannot claim therapeutic effects; otherwise, it would be illegal.
Medical efficacy must be validated through comprehensive scientific and clinical trials.
As for health benefits, they must provide a health efficacy evaluation report according to the Health Food Management Act and receive approval from the Department of Health before any claims can be made.
If one must consume such foods, they should check for the presence of a "Drug Number"; if present, it is classified as a drug, not food.
For tablet and capsule foods, verify the presence of the word "food," check for Chinese labeling, and ensure it is complete.
Review the ingredient list, brand, manufacturer, etc., and call the manufacturer to confirm labeling details, such as food numbers and certificates.
If there are any uncertainties regarding the source, lack of Chinese labeling, unclear or incomplete labeling (such as product name, ingredients, distributor and manufacturer name, address, phone number, etc.), or claims of efficacy with exaggerated terms like super, invincible, etc., especially for weight loss or enhancement products, they should be avoided.

Respectfully, Huang Yi-Cheng, Pharmacist, Hualien Hospital, Department of Health.

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Reply Date: 2004/12/03