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Consumer Update |
On Dec. 22, 2008, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) alerted consumers not to buy or use more than 25 different weight-loss pill products because the products may be harmful to their health. FDA has recently expanded this alert.
For the latest list of tainted weight loss products, visit www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01933.html
These products contain undeclared, active pharmaceutical ingredients that may put consumers' health at risk. Some of the amounts of active pharmaceutical ingredients far exceed FDA-recommended levels.
Some of the products claim to be "natural" or to contain only "herbal" ingredients, but actually contain potentially harmful ingredients not listed on the product labels or in promotional advertisements. These products have not been approved by FDA, are illegal, and may be potentially harmful to unsuspecting consumers.
An FDA analysis found that the undeclared active pharmaceutical ingredients in some of these products include
These weight-loss products, some of which are marketed as "dietary supplements," are promoted and sold on various Web sites and in some retail stores.
The agency is currently seeking product recalls. FDA may take additional enforcement steps, such as issuing warning letters or initiating seizures, injunctions, or criminal charges.
This article appears on FDA's Consumer Health Information Web page (www.fda.gov/consumer), which features the latest updates on FDA-regulated products. Sign up for free e-mail subscriptions at www.fda.gov/consumer/consumerenews.html.
FDA Press Release
www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01933.html
Information for Consumers
www.fda.gov/cder/consumerinfo/weight_loss_products.htm
FDA MedWatch
www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm
Updated: January 9, 2009