The development of regulations of Chinese herbal medicines for both medicinal and food uses

Some Chinese herbal medicines (CHM) may be consumed for both the medicinal and food purposes in some traditional food dishes and herbal products, even though most of them are mainly considered as medicinal materials. The line between the medicinal and food characteristics of these herbal medicines is oftentimes blurred due to the dual uses. As natural herbal materials are not always safe, the regulation of CHM for food uses at the national level is for the protection of public health, as well as protecting consumers from potentially harmful herbal ingredients. This study compares and summarizes a considerable number of CHM that are allowed for food uses by the governmental agencies of mainland China and Taiwan. This article also discusses the development and provides an understanding of the regulations of CHM for both medicinal and food uses. The wealth of information may provide references for the development of food regulations on herbal products around the world.