Quality stamp for a proper tonic

By Cai Wenjun  |   2008-10-28  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

ALL local 39 licensed manufacturers of gaofang, a traditional Chinese winter tonic, must stamp each product with a green-leaf logo this year to guarantee quality, said officials from Shanghai TCM Trade Association yesterday.

Gaofang, a paste combining various herbal and animal medicines and tonics, is traditionally taken twice a day from the Winter Solstice to the beginning of Spring on the lunar calendar.

Xu Jinbai, director of the TCM trade association, said the new logo is to prevent counterfeits.

Shanghai strictly regulates production of gaofang. "A high quality gaofang mixture should have good raw materials, and proper processing in soaking, boiling and condensing the ingredients under qualified staff," Xu said. "Those failing to follow the industry rule can have their production permit canceled."

In addition to preventing counterfeit products, the logo will identify the manufacturer and production details.

"Customers should visit professional hospitals or TCM pharmacies for gaofang and check the logo when receiving the product," Xu said.

According to Shanghai Health Bureau, some 160,000 doses of gaofang were sold in the city last year, a 10-percent annual increase.