FDA Warns Against Mexican Vanilla

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Tuesday, November 11, 2008

PTINR.com Staff

A substance banned 54 years ago has returned and increases the bleeding risk for patients taking warfarin

The FDA issued a warning against the use of vanilla products from Mexico and other Latin American countries, and patients taking Coumadin® (Warfarin) are particularly at risk. “Mexican vanilla” contains a toxic substance called ‘coumarin’, which is distinct from the prescription blood thinner Coumadin® but can cause complications for Coumadin® (Warfarin)patients.¹

Real vanilla is extracted from beans of the vanilla plant. Some vanilla products made in Latin America are derived from the extracts of beans from the tonka tree and not the vanilla plant. In fact, the tonka tree has no relation to the vanilla plant. Vanilla made from tonka beans smells and tastes like pure vanilla, but costs less. Tonka-derived vanilla poses a serious problem for Coumadin® (Warfarin) patients because it contains the FDA banned substance coumarin.

The Patient Risk
Coumarin is related to Coumadin®, the prescription medication used to prevent clot development. Coumarin has been banned from all food products in the United States since 1954.¹ The FDA warns of increased bleeding risk for patients taking the prescription drug Coumadin® (Warfarin) with any tonka bean extract.¹

The side effects of coumarin ingestion are similar to side effects seen in patients taking the prescription drug Coumadin®, and can include loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea, blurred vision, unusual bleeding or bruising, blood in urine or stool, and severe headache.  An allergic reaction to coumarin can result in rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, and trouble breathing.¹

How to Identify Safe Vanilla
Real or pure vanilla is always derived from vanilla beans. Consumers should carefully read labels of any vanilla product and verify that vanilla bean is in the ingredient list. Any vanilla product that does not include vanilla bean, includes tonka bean, or is vague in the description of main ingredients should not be used according to the FDA.¹

Patients who consume vanilla derived from the tonka bean may experience an increase in INR test results. Therefore, Mexican vanilla consumption is a potential cause for an unexpectedly high INR test result. Patients should always discuss their questions and concerns with their healthcare provider.