Health problems of aloe and senna extract in food

Some substances belonging to a group of plant ingredients called hydroxyanthracene derivatives may damage DNA and cause cancer, EFSA said after assessing their safety when added to food This group of substances naturally exist in aloe or senna and other plants The extracts containing them are used in food supplements for their defecation In 2013, EFSA found that hydroxyanthracene derivatives in food can improve intestinal function, but it is recommended not to use them for a long time and in high doses due to potential safety problems The European Commission then asked EFSA to assess the safety of these plant ingredients when used in food and to provide recommendations on daily intake that are not related to adverse health effects Based on available data, EFSA has concluded that some hydroxyanthracene derivatives are genotoxic (they can damage DNA) Therefore, it is impossible to set a safe daily intake When tested in animal studies, some of these substances have been shown to cause intestinal cancer These findings are consistent with previous assessments of plant sources of these substances by other European and international agencies, including the World Health Organization, the European drug administration and, more recently, the Federal Institute for risk assessment in Germany.