1.   An investigator informed BMK that its product contained aristolochic acid.

2.   Aristolochia contains compounds called aristolochic acids, which are known to damage the kidneys and to cause cancer in lab rats.

3.   Aristolochia contains compounds called aristolochic acids, which are known to damage the kidneys and to cause cancer in rats in the laboratory.

4.   Currently, the FDA has limited authority over the herbal and supplement industry, but the growing concern over aristolochic acid is reviving calls for strengthened federal oversight.

5.   Herbal product companies were told to test their goods rigorously to make sure they are free from aristolochic acids.

6.   Last fall, the FDA began the slow process of randomly testing the Chinese herbal products suspected of containing aristolochic acid that were already on the market.

7.   Millions of Americans use herbal products, but it is unclear how many may have taken products containing aristolochic acid.

8.   The agency has also imposed an import ban on substances likely to contain aristolochic acid.

9.   The FDA advises anyone who believes they may have ingested aristolochic acid to consult a doctor.

10.   The Food and Drug Administration has called on makers of dietary supplements containing aristolochic acid to recall or reformulate their products.