JEDDAH: The Jeddah Mayoralty has withdrawn 26 herbal products by manufacturers “Al-Basma Al-Dhahabi” – “The Golden Fingerprint” – for spurious claims of medical benefits and containing substances harmful to public health. The measure was taken on the advice of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA). Bashir Abu Najm, head of the Mayoralty's Commercial Licensing and Monitoring Department, said the products entailed “unproven claims of medical benefits” and that neither the safety nor the efficacy of the products had been tested. “That is a blatant breach of laws governing pharmaceutical products,” he said. Abu Najm said the products claimed to be able to remove dark patches from beneath the arms and around the eyes, remove wrinkles and delay the ageing process. “Other withdrawn products claimed to remove spots and freckles and lighten skin color, while others concern honey-based preparations that claimed to be good for the kidneys, asthma, diabetes, coughs and allergies,” he said. “Some creams have been withdrawn that purported to help with cramp, cracks in the skin, sexual potency and weight-loss.” The products had not received permission for sale by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority. “Some of the products contained high levels of preservatives and cancer-causing agents and harmful substances like mercury, while containing nothing producing the benefits the manufacturers claim,” he added.
