Chlorine dioxide is not a remedy: MMS and CDL
Chlorine dioxide is a disinfectant for water, not a remedy. Under names such as "MMS" and "CDL", sodium chlorite solutions and the chlorine dioxide made from them are sold for ingestion. In 2015, the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) classified MMS as a medicinal product requiring authorisation and as a questionable medicinal product. In 2019, the Federal Court of Justice upheld the regional court's classification of it as a questionable medicinal product.
biostream® ZERO is not intended for ingestion. It is a biocidal product for disinfecting water and water-carrying installations. biostream® GmbH expressly distances itself from the ingestion of chlorine dioxide and from any promotion of chlorine dioxide as a remedy.
What is MMS?
MMS stands for "Miracle Mineral Supplement". According to the BfArM, MMS contains a 28 per cent sodium chlorite solution; the product MMS2 contains 70 per cent calcium hypochlorite in capsules. When sodium chlorite is combined with an acid, chlorine dioxide is formed. The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment describes chlorine dioxide as a highly reactive compound with a strongly oxidising effect that, depending on concentration, is irritating to corrosive on skin and mucous membranes.
What do authorities and courts say?
| Body | Statement | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) | Strongly advises against the ingestion and use of MMS. | 2 July 2012 |
| Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) | Warns against using sodium chlorite as a medicinal product; such products are not authorised as medicinal products in Germany. | 30 May 2014 |
| BfArM | Classifies MMS and MMS2 as medicinal products requiring authorisation and as questionable medicinal products under Section 5 of the Medicinal Products Act. | 26 February 2015 |
| Federal Court of Justice | Upholds the classification of MMS and MMS2 as questionable medicinal products (judgment 1 StR 107/18). | 23 July 2019 |
What consequences of ingestion do the authorities report?
The BfArM cites observations from the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Switzerland and the USA: nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea, kidney failure, burns to the oesophagus, and respiratory disorders caused by damage to red blood cells. The BfR reports abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, in some cases with blood pressure disturbances and substantial fluid loss, and points out that children in particular are at risk of chemical burns.
The Federal Court of Justice holds that oral ingestion of chlorine dioxide and chlorine gas typically leads to diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting and, depending on the dose, can also cause more serious consequences such as gastric perforation or peritonitis. According to an article by the Drug Commission of the German Medical Profession, the North German Poison Information Centre recorded 98 poisonings involving chlorine dioxide and MMS between 2010 and 2020.
How does this differ from chlorine dioxide for water disinfection?
The difference lies in the purpose, the quantity and the rules. Chlorine dioxide for water disinfection kills germs in water and in pipes, tanks and containers. Anyone treating drinking water with it must comply with the list of permitted treatment substances under Section 20 of the Drinking Water Ordinance: after treatment, at most 0.2 mg/l of chlorine dioxide may remain in the water. In installation disinfection, the disinfecting water is subsequently discarded and the installation is flushed.
MMS and similar products, by contrast, are sold as a purported remedy for ingestion. It is precisely this use that the BfArM has classified as questionable. More on the values in drinking water is available on the page Limit values, chlorite and chlorate.
| Feature | Chlorine dioxide for water disinfection | MMS and similar products |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Disinfection of water and installations | Ingestion as a purported remedy |
| Legal framework | Biocidal Products Regulation; in drinking water, the list under Section 20 TrinkwV | Classified by the BfArM as a medicinal product requiring authorisation and as questionable |
| Content in drinking water | at most 0.2 mg/l after treatment | not applicable, not intended for drinking water |
| Assessment by the authorities | permitted for disinfection (list under Section 20 TrinkwV) | BfR strongly advises against it; BfArM warns against it |
What to do if concentrate has been swallowed?
Contact a poison control centre or emergency medical service immediately; in a life-threatening situation, call the emergency number 112. Have the label or safety data sheet ready; it contains the first-aid measures for the product. Keep concentrate and activator in their original containers, out of the reach of children.
Frequently asked questions about chlorine dioxide and MMS
Is chlorine dioxide the same as MMS?
Both involve the same substance: chlorine dioxide. According to the BfR, in MMS it forms when sodium chlorite is combined with an acid. The difference lies in the purpose: chlorine dioxide for water disinfection is used as a biocide for water and installations, while MMS is sold for ingestion. The BfArM has classified MMS as a questionable medicinal product.
Can water disinfected with chlorine dioxide be drunk?
Yes, if the rules of the Drinking Water Ordinance are met. Chlorine dioxide is included in the list of permitted treatment substances under Section 20 TrinkwV; after treatment, at most 0.2 mg/l may remain in the water. After installation disinfection, the disinfecting water is discarded and the installation is flushed before drinking water is drawn.
May biostream® ZERO be ingested?
No. biostream® ZERO is a biocidal product for disinfecting water and water-carrying installations. The concentrate is not intended for ingestion. Use biocides safely, and always read the label and product information before use. Material compatibility applies when the recommended dosage and contact time are observed.
Is MMS banned in Germany?
In February 2015, the BfArM classified MMS and MMS2 as medicinal products requiring authorisation that lack such authorisation, and as questionable medicinal products under Section 5 of the Medicinal Products Act. Questionable medicinal products may not be placed on the market under Section 5 of the Medicinal Products Act. In 2019, the Federal Court of Justice upheld the regional court's classification of them as questionable medicinal products.
Sources
- BfArM, press release No. 3/15 of 26 February 2015
- BfArM, press release No. 08/14 of 30 May 2014
- BfR, opinion No. 025/2012 of 2 July 2012
- Federal Court of Justice, judgment of 23 July 2019, 1 StR 107/18
- Verbraucherzentrale: Miracle Mineral Supplement, considerable health risk
- Drug Commission of the German Medical Profession, AVP issue 2/2023
- Medicinal Products Act, Section 5