South Australia investigates illegal tobacco and restricts Andrographis paniculata

South Australian authorities have launched an investigation into illegal tobacco products following research from the University of Auckland suggesting they may contain dangerous levels of toxic metals, including uranium, lead, cadmium, and tin. South Australian Health Minister Blair Boyer has directed Preventive Health SA to conduct scientific testing to determine if local seized products contain similar contaminants. Officials noted that while regulated tobacco undergoes strict oversight of soil and supply chains, illegal products remain entirely unregulated.

Separately, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has announced new restrictions on products containing Andrographis paniculata (穿心蓮). Effective September 17, new products containing this ingredient can no longer be marketed as low-risk medicines. While existing products will not be immediately removed, the TGA has urged voluntary recalls and will take regulatory action to withdraw products from the market starting in mid-October if companies do not comply.

The TGA decision follows a safety review that identified 1,368 adverse reaction reports, including 287 cases of anaphylactic shock and one death. The agency stated that the risk of unpredictable allergic reactions cannot be adequately controlled under current low-risk regulatory frameworks. The Complementary Medicines Australia association has criticized the move, arguing that increased warning labels would be a more appropriate management strategy than a ban.