GO
 

Concerns and Controls

Concern

Microbial contamination refers to the growth of harmful microorganism (including bacteria and mold) in the herbal products. Contaminated material will start to decay and rot, which can often be directly observed from the appearance. The material will quickly lose its medical effectiveness, and the toxin produced by the decay can be very harmful, sometimes even life-threatening to both human and animals.

Control

To prevent microorganism contamination, we have taken a series of measures, including: setting up separate air-conditioning system for production areas, controlling the temperature and humidity of the production and storage area, thorough cleaning of equipment and apparatus, enhancing the personal hygiene standard of our employees,  proper planing of traffic flows, etc. 

We carry out strict inspections over bacterial, mold and commonly-seen pathogenic bacterium at every step of manufacturing, over raw materials, products-in-process and packaging materials. Tests including microscopy, thin layer chromatography (TLC), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) are performed  to ensure that our products are microorganism-free.

Our standards for microorganism are listed below:

 Standard Plate Count                          
 ≤10,000 cfu/g
 Mold/Yeast ≤100 cfu/g
 E. Coli   Negative
 Salmonella   Negative

 

Concern

The most commonly found heavy metal elements in herbal materials include lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic. Plants may absorb and accumulate heavy metals that may exist in their surrounding environment (soil, water and air). Acute heavy metal intoxications may damage central nervous function, the cardiovascular and gastrointestinal (GI) systems, lungs, kidneys, liver, endocrine glands, and bones. Chronic heavy metal exposure may lead to degenerative diseases of these systems and may increase the risk of some cancers.

Lead: Harmful for nerve system, bone hematopoietic function, digestive system, male reproductive system and even cancer or gene mutation.

Cadmium: cadmium accumulation causes arteriosclerosis, nephrarctia, bone osteoporosis, and likely cancer or malformation of infants. 

Mercury: Mercury is the most toxic element in heavy metal pollution. The combination of apoenzyme and mercury ion restricts enzyme activity, a barrier for the normal function of cell. Organomercurial compound accumulation in human body invades neural center, destroying blood vessel of brain. 

Arsenic: arsenic in human body accumulates at osteoporosis parts, like liver, kidney, spleen, muscle, hair and fingernail. Arsenic usually affects nerve system and stimulating blood creation organs. Long-time contacts with arsenic will poison cell and capillary, or likely causing malignant tumor. Heavy metal pollution has to be prevented at the source.

Control

Jing Tang herbs are cultivated in plantation bases that are chosen and established on GAP (Good Agriculture Practice) standards. We monitor the quality of soil, water and atmosphere of the plantation areas to ensure the environment are free of heavy metals. Our suppliers are equipped with atomic absorption spectrophotometer, atomic fluorescence spectrophotometer and microwave digestion systems that can detect and eliminate heavy metals. 

 Tests including  thin layer chromatography (TLC), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) are used  to ensure our products are free of heavy metal content .

Our standards for heavy metals are listed below:

Lead ≤ 5.0 ppm
Arsenic
 ≤ 3.0 ppm
Mercury
 ≤ 0.5 ppm
Cadmium            ≤ 1.0 ppm

 

Concern

Sulfur stoving is a traditional TCM processing method. The sulfur dioxide created by warming sulfur can kill bacteria, prevent mold and insects as well as bleach TCM products. In recent years, sulfur stoving has been used by some manufactures abusively solely for the purpose of better appearance. However, it can destroy the effective elements in TCM products. Taking sulfur-stoved herbs for extended time may cause cramp, spasm, diarrhea, abdominal distension, cirrhosis and gastroenteric malfunction. What’s worse, it may lead to blood poisoning, cirrhosis, heart attack or blindness.


Control

Jing Tang herbs are never sulfur-stoved. We use the freshest herbs available or just harvested whenever we can. When necessary, sulfur-free technologies (including Dioscorea Opposita Thunb, freeze-drying and vacuum drying technology), are used to process herb materials.

The sulfur content is strictly controlled below 50 ppm in all of our Jing Tang Products.

Concern

Pesticide residue is a general name that refers to the residues and degradation's of the pesticide and other poisonous metabolites and impurities contained in living body, byproducts and environment after pesticide is applied. Pesticide residues can easily accumulate inside human and animal bodies, and result in permanent damage. 

 

Control

We are devoted to use only pesticide-free materials. Our plantation bases are chosen and operated with GAP (Good Agriculture Practice) standards to guarantee that harvested herbs are free of toxic pesticide residues. Rigorous tests including thin layer chromatography (TLC), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) are used to detect any toxic pesticide residue content. Inspection items include：α-Hexachlorocyclohexane, DDT, omethoate, Thimet, Dimethoate, Basudin, parathion-methyl, malathion, parathion, isocarbophos and quinalphos.

Our standards for pesticide residues are listed below:

Total BHC's ≤ 0.9 ppm
Total DDT's
 ≤ 1.0 ppm