A German kava expert, Dr. Mathias Schmidt, has stated that Germany’s ban on kava is primarily a political issue rather than a scientific one. Dr. Schmidt addressed the 24-year-old ban enforced by Germany’s Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) and suggested that kava-producing nations, such as Fiji, should seek diplomatic support from Germany’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and the European Union. He believes that many in the scientific community remain unaware that the ban is politically motivated.
Dr. Schmidt highlighted that the ban originated after eight cases of liver toxicity linked to a kava-containing medication imported into Switzerland in February 2000. He explained that the EU adopted the ban in 2001, following Germany’s lead due to its reputation for thoroughness and careful decision-making. However, he argued that in this instance, the actions taken against kava were arbitrary and not based on scientific evidence.
He noted in discussions with scientists across Europe that they were often surprised to learn that the ban was politically driven rather than grounded in scientific facts. For many years, Dr. Schmidt has maintained that kava has been unfairly targeted due to the precautionary principle inherent in EU regulations, which emphasize consumer protection. He pointed out that in response to regulatory pressures, authorities sometimes overreact, leading to decisions that may not be warranted.
The decision to ban kava was accompanied by extensive media coverage, especially after BfArM was criticized for its slow response during the Lipobay disaster. Dr. Schmidt expressed that the authorities felt compelled to act decisively against kava to placate media scrutiny, but once the ban was enacted, BfArM appeared hesitant to reverse the decision out of fear of losing credibility.
Although Germany’s administrative court overturned the ban in 2014, BfArM has continued to block its reinstatement.