Herbal products don’t always contain what’s on the label.

That’s the conclusion of a University of Guelph study.

It says about one-third of the 44 products the Guelph scientists tested were instances of what they called product substitution, alfalfa sold as gingko, for example.

Lead author Steve Newmaster says those two substances in powder form would be indistinguishable without testing.

Herbal products are big business.

A 2010 Ipsos Reid poll found that 73 per cent of Canadians use natural health products of some sort.