[KSCI] Korea Science Citation Index Service

http://dx.doi.org/10.13103/JFHS.2017.32.4.254

Monitoring of the Source of Gelatin in Dietary Supplement Capsules Sold on the Internet

Kang, Tae Sun (New Hazardous Substance Team, Food Safety Evaluation Department, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety)
Kim, Mi-Ra (New Hazardous Substance Team, Food Safety Evaluation Department, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety)
Hong, Yewon (New Hazardous Substance Team, Food Safety Evaluation Department, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety)
Lee, Jae-Hwang (New Hazardous Substance Team, Food Safety Evaluation Department, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety)
Kwon, Kisung (New Hazardous Substance Team, Food Safety Evaluation Department, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety)

Publication Information

Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety / v.32, no.4, 2017 , pp. 254-261 More about this Journal

Abstract

Determining the origin of the components in commercially available gelatin, a purified protein derived mostly from pig skin and bovine tissue, is a challenge, leading to concerns on the grounds of religious beliefs and health. Therefore, regular monitoring of labeling compliance by food control authorities is also necessary. In this study, we monitored the origin of gelatin capsules from 181 commercial dietary supplements that were available for purchase on the internet, using species-specific PCR assays. Fifty five products were labeled correctly, declaring that they used bovine-, fish- and plant-derived gelatin, whereas the other 126 capsules were labeled "gelatin" without specifying the origin. Gelatin in these capsules was obtained from cattle (n = 51), pigs (n = 31), or both (n = 44). Therefore, it is important to declare all of the raw materials used to produce gelatin capsules on the labels to best protect consumers' rights, religious beliefs, and health.

Keywords

Species-specific Polymerase Chain Reaction; Gelatin Capsules; Labeling Compliance;

Citations & Related Records

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