Hong Kong - One hundred per cent of Ginkgo biloba leaf supplements tested in Hong Kong have failed to meet health standards, consumer watchdogs said on Wednesday.

The Consumer Council tested 14 samples of the popular herbal medicine which is widely used in America, Europe and Japan to help relieve memory loss, headaches, dizziness, and symptoms of dementia.

All failed to meet the standard set down by the World Health Organisation concerning the levels of active ingredients and allergens.

Eleven of the samples either contained too little or too much of the active ingredients while two contained extremely low levels. Another three failed to specify the levels on the label.

The test also found 13 of the 14 samples had excess amounts of the allergen ginkgolic acid, with levels varying from 16 times to as much as 733 times the limit recommended.

Although there is no scientific evidence to suggest excess levels of active ingredients or allergens could be dangerous, the Consumer Council warned that adverse reactions had been recorded.

Raw Gingko leaf contains only low levels of three active ingredients. Research has shown that all three need to be present in the supplements in exact proportions if they are to have the desired effect, making production more difficult for manufacturers.

The Consumer Council is now calling for stricter regulations on so-called "health foods" and urging manufacturers to improve production and labelling of Gingko biloba products.

(From News24)