'Safety' checks on sarsaparilla

'Safety' checks on sarsaparilla

The temperance bar may have to change its sarsaparilla recipe

England's last original temperance bar has had to stop selling its famous sarsaparilla drink for the first time in more than 100 years.

Fitzpatrick's Herbal Health at Rawtenstall in Lancashire has been told that its brew must be checked by trading standards officers.

The bar has taken the drink, made from a plant extract, off the shelves while the inspection is carried out.

The national checks into levels of a herbal oil will also take in other products.

The temperance bar on Bank Street has been serving sarsaparilla since 1890.

Owner Julie Law said she found it hard to believe that any of the sarsaparilla ingredients could be harmful - but would change the recipe if she had to.

The drink is liquorice-based

She said: "It's very good for the digestive system and they say it's the herbal form of Viagra - it's a very strong aphrodisiac.

"It's very good for skin conditions, so it's just a good tonic in general."

Temperance bars were originally set up as the equivalent to pubs - without alcohol.

Other old-fashioned favourites on the shelves at Fitzpatrick's include sweet, dark black beer and raisin, and dandelion and burdock.