Dr. Mathias Schmidt, a prominent German kava researcher, argues that Germany’s ban on kava is based on political factors rather than scientific evidence. Speaking to The Fiji Times about the 24-year ban enacted by Germany’s Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM), he encouraged kava-producing nations, including Fiji, to seek assistance from Germany’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and the European Union. He pointed out that many in the scientific community remain unaware that the ban’s origins are political.
Dr. Schmidt noted that the ban followed a report in February 2000 of eight cases of liver toxicity in Switzerland connected to kava extract from Germany. He explained that the EU adopted the German ban in 2001 due to Germany’s reputation for thoroughness in decision-making. However, he asserts that in this instance, the decision was arbitrary and not based on solid scientific reasoning.
He has shared his perspective with scientists across Europe, most of whom also believed the decision was scientifically grounded, reinforcing his view that the issue is fundamentally political. Dr. Schmidt has maintained this belief for years, stating that kava became a casualty of the precautionary principle, where regulatory bodies prioritize consumer protection in an overzealous manner.
He also criticized the climate surrounding the ban, highlighting that it was preceded by a significant media campaign and a backlash against BfArM for not acting decisively in a previous incident involving Lipobay. Schmidt suggested that BfArM’s choice to ban kava was a defensive move to protect its reputation, framing the decision as one made in the public’s interest. Despite a 2014 ruling by Germany’s administrative court that overturned the ban, BfArM continues to prevent kava’s market reentry.