Download sabinsa takes action against biotikon for synthetic

Sabinsa Corporation
Sabinsa News Release MEDIA CONTACT: Suzanne Shelton I The Shelton Group [email protected] I T: 847-­‐676-­‐4337 SABINSA TAKES ACTION AGAINST BIOTIKON FOR SYNTHETIC CURCUMIN ADULTERATION Langen, Germany (April 11, 2017) – Sabinsa has taken legal action against a German company, Biotikon Produkte der Komplementärmedizin, Herr Dr. Alexander Michalzik, Buchklinger Weg 17, 69517 Gorxheimertal, Germany, for selling curcumin supplements described as derived from turmeric root but which independent testing confirmed contained significant amounts of synthetic curcumin. Although Sabinsa several times requested that Biotikon cease & desist advertising the company’s curcumin as natural, Biotikon did not comply. Sabinsa therefore saw no alternative other than to initiate actions at the civil courts of Germany and with the District Attorney, Darmstadt, and the Veterinary and Consumer Protection Agency, Heppenheim. The dispute covers the damages for false advertising of a synthetic product as natural, and for using Sabinsa’s trademark “Bioperine” illegally without Sabinsa’s consent, undermining the credibility of the trademark, plus court costs and legal fees. Sabinsa also claims that Biotikon has been using published studies on Sabinsa’s Curcumin C3 Complex® and BioPerine® ingredients in marketing Biotikon’s products adulterated with synthetic curcumin. “Sabinsa has taken a strong stand to combat the substituting of natural curcumin with synthetic versions, alerting the industry to the adulteration problem two years ago when Sabinsa became aware that Turmeric extracts adulterated with synthetic curcuminoids were infiltrating the market,” said Sabinsa founder Dr. Muhammed Majeed. “Continuing the company’s proactive leadership in addressing this problem, Sabinsa initiated radio carbon testing for all batches of Curcumin C3 Complex®, safeguarding customer and consumer confidence in their product.” Synthetic curcumin is made from petroleum-­‐based materials in which radiocarbon is totally absent, unlike plant-­‐derived material where a definitive amount is present. Testing methods such as Accelerator Mass Spectrometry can accurately assess the content of radiocarbon in a sample and can readily distinguish between a natural sample and its synthetic version. It can even determine the extent or degree of synthetic contamination in a professed natural product when both the natural and synthetic products are mixed, a common practice to offer cheap material. About Sabinsa Corporation: Sabinsa's mission is to provide alternative and complementary natural products for human nutrition and well-­‐
being. Over the past 29 years, Sabinsa has brought to market more than 100 standardized botanical extracts, and privately funded clinical studies in conjunction with prestigious institutions in support of these products. Our Innovation Is Your Answer®
Sabinsa Corporation
With more than 100 full-­‐time scientists conducting ongoing research in India and the United States, Sabinsa and parent company Sami Labs Ltd. continue to develop, patent and manufacture phytonutrients for the world market, with ingredients that are both Halal and Kosher. For more information, visit www.sabinsa.com. -­‐-­‐ END – Our Innovation Is Your Answer®