Most recently, F.D.A. officials warned Stewart Brothers, a company in Hood River, Ore., that its juice drinks were “adulterated” with ginkgo, which it called an unsafe and unapproved additive, citing the new report. Several beverage companies, including Rockstar and Just Chill, have removed ginkgo biloba from beverages after receiving letters from the F.D.A.
But when it comes to supplements, the government has a different standard. A substance that is considered unsafe in food items or drinks can be legally sold as a supplement.
“We don’t review supplements before they go to market,” said Tamara Ward, an F.D.A. spokeswoman. “We get involved when there is a risk to the consumer, but manufacturers are responsible for making sure the products do not pose a risk to the consumer and for making sure claims are not misleading.”