HC Deb 22 April 1993 vol 223 c196W
Sir David Mitchell

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which alkaloids with known toxicity have been found in samples of comfrey products sold in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Soames

The following Pyrrolizidine alkaloids have been found in samples of comfrey products sold in the United Kingdom:—

  • lycopsamine/intermedine;
  • acetyl lycopsamine/acetyl intermedine;
  • symphytine/symlandine and;
  • echimidine isomers.

Chemically similar alkaloids were determined together as indicated. Symphytine has been shown to be positive in carcinogenicity and mutagenicity studies.