Contaminated Laetrile: A Health Hazard

To the Editor: I recently had the opportunity to obtain and evaluate extensively a large cache of Laetrile products (ampuls and tablets) produced by Cyto Pharma of Mexico. Cyto Pharma is the major distributor of Laetrile, labeled "Amygdalina," in Mexico and the United States. A total of 2715 ampuls and 31,000 tablets were obtained for evaluation. The testing was performed by several contract laboratories for the National Cancer Institute. The products were found to be chemically subpotent, microbially contaminated and unfit as pharmaceutical products for human use.The products were originally seized by United States Customs while being illegally transported . . .