Honey from plants containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids: a potential threat to health.
Following scientific risk assessments, several countries have imposed strict regulations on herbal medicines containing 1,2-dehydro-pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Using published data on the plants used in honey production, pyrrolizidine alkaloid-containing plants are shown in this review to represent a significant source of honey worldwide. This observation, honey consumption data, reported levels of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in honeys, and consideration of tolerable exposure levels determined for pyrrolizidine alkaloids in herbal medicines, leads to the conclusion that some honey is a potential threat to health, especially for infants and fetuses, and further investigation is warranted.
Edgar
John A
JA
CSIRO Livestock Industries, PB 24, Geelong, Victoria 3220, Australia. john.edgar@csiro.au
Roeder
Erhard
E
Molyneux
Russell J
RJ
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005506:Food Contamination; D006722:Honey / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007774:Lactation; D008452:Maximum Allowable Concentration; D010944:Plants / Q000737:chemistry*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011763:Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins
D011763:Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins