Adverse Events After Alcohol Consumption With Garcinia... Daewoong Pharmaceutical: "Notified Ingredient Issue, Fair Re-examination Needed"

Liver Dysfunction Reported in Two Drinkers
Ministry of Food and Drug Safety Recalls Daewoong Pharmaceutical Product

Cases of liver damage have been reported among users of Garcinia health supplements, leading the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to impose administrative sanctions on Daewoong Pharmaceutical. However, as all of these cases occurred immediately after alcohol consumption, critics argue that the decision was made without sufficiently considering the variable of concurrent alcohol intake.

On September 23, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced that it had decided to recall all units of Daewoong Pharmaceutical's Garcinia (Garcinia Cambogia extract) health supplement after reviewing two cases of liver function-related adverse events through the Health Functional Food Review Committee.

Product photo of Daewoong Pharmaceutical's Garcinia. Daewoong Pharmaceutical

According to the ministry, on August 25 and 27, two different individuals who consumed Garcinia Cambogia extract developed similar symptoms of hepatitis. The ministry referred the cases to the review committee, which concluded that there was a high likelihood of causality.

However, internal ingredient tests conducted by the ministry found all samples of the product to be "compliant," and quality tests of both the ingredients and finished products, carried out by Daewoong Pharmaceutical through accredited external testing agencies, also detected no abnormalities. In other words, no defects were found in the product itself during testing.

Furthermore, it has been revealed that both individuals who experienced adverse events had consumed the Garcinia product while under the influence of alcohol. Nevertheless, the ministry excluded this information from its press release, stating only, "Although no issues were found in the manufacturing process, the product will be recalled as of September 23 due to concerns for consumer safety," and added, "Garcinia Cambogia extract may rarely cause liver harm, and a warning to avoid alcohol consumption during intake will be added."

Medical experts point out that the risk of liver damage may be significantly higher when Garcinia is taken together with alcohol. Alcohol places a burden on liver cells as it is metabolized in the liver, and the active ingredient in Garcinia (HCA) is also metabolized by the liver and can affect liver enzymes. As a result, taking the supplement while drinking alcohol can place a double burden on liver cells, increasing the likelihood of serious adverse events such as acute hepatitis.

For this reason, industry insiders argue that the issue should not be limited to a specific company, but that the safety of the ingredient itself and the risks of concurrent alcohol consumption should be scientifically re-examined.

In particular, Garcinia Cambogia extract is a notified functional ingredient listed in the "Health Functional Food Codex" by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. It is an ingredient whose safety and functionality have been recognized through scientific evaluation by the government and has been widely used in health supplements both domestically and internationally. The product in question was also produced in accordance with the relevant standards and specifications.

Daewoong Pharmaceutical voluntarily recalled all units of the product from various sales channels, including online, on September 2, despite the lack of clear evidence of causality. The company is also providing full refunds regardless of whether the product has been opened or consumed. A representative of Daewoong Pharmaceutical explained, "We responded quickly to minimize inconvenience to customers."

Additionally, Daewoong Pharmaceutical has stated that it will actively cooperate if the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety conducts a scientific re-investigation of the ingredient in the future. The company said, "This case may not be an issue with a specific company, but rather a structural problem with the ingredient itself, so objective and fair verification is necessary," and added, "We will participate in all necessary processes to ensure safety."