Group warns public against illegal weight loss products

CEBU, Philippines - A watchdog group for consumer health and the environment is urging the public not to waste hard-earned money for illegal weight loss products that may contain hidden ingredients that can trigger a heart attack or stroke.

“We’ve been seeing an explosion in unregistered diet aids in the market that are cashing in on the desire of many to be physically attractive, fit and lean,” said  Thony Dizon, coordinator of EcoWaste Coalition’s Project Protect.

Dizon, in a statement, said that consumers should be on the alert for slimming products that may contain secret chemicals and drugs, which can lead to serious and possible lethal complications.

The coalition emphasized that in order to avoid being duped and harmed, consumers should cautiously read product information, watch out for red flags such as blown up claims and, before making a purchase, should check the FDA website to validate if the product is properly registered.

Based on the documentation done by the group, 36 slimming products, often packaged as slimming coffees, chocolate drinks, juices or teas, were found to be either banned or unregistered. 

The list includes Aloe Vera Whitening Slimming Coffee, Best Beauty Pearl Slimming Coffee, Body Beauty 5 Days Slimming Coffee, Body Language Slimming Coffee, Brazilian 7 Days Slimming Coffee, Brazilian Slimming Coffee, Brazilian Coffee 10 in 1 with Slimming Effects, Burn Body Fat Orange Juice, Burner Coffee, Chocolate Brazil Slimming, Coconut Weight Loss Whitening Freckle Removing Vitamin C Supplementation, Coffee trim Brazilian Slimming Coffee, Curvy Pearl Beauty Slimming Orange Juice, Fashion Slimming Coffee and Fat Burners Slimming Coffee.

Also included are Fitness Coffee Fat Elimination and Slimming, Ginseng Slimming Coffee, Leisure 7 Days Slimming Coffee, Leisure 18 Slimming Coffee, Leisure Slimming Chocolate Drinks, Leisure Slimming Mango Juice, Leptin Fat Burners Slimming Coffee, Leptin Green Coffee 800, Magicslim Herb Tea, Max Fat Burner Orange Juice, Max Slimming Coffee, Milk Tea Slimming, Optimax Cofslim Sugarfree, Optimax Superslim Sugarfree, S100 Weight Loss Coffee, Slimmate Herbal Tea, Slimming Milk Tea, Slimming Plum, V12 Fruit Slimming, Vita Slim Appetite Suppressant Guava Flavor and Weight Loss Coffee.

The group pointed out that Brazilian Slimming Coffee, Burn Body Fat Orange Juice, Leisure 18 Slimming Coffee and Vita Slim Appetite Suppressant Guava Flavor were among those already banned by the FDA.

The group added that Australia banned Leptin Green Coffee 800 in 2011, while US banned Leisure 18 Slimming Coffee in 2011 and Body Beauty 5 Days Slimming Coffee in 2013.  Singapore banned Curvy Pearl Beauty Slimming Orange Juice and V12 Fruit Slimming in 2013.

It added that on August 12, the FDA banned two more unregistered slimming powdered juice containing undisclosed active pharmaceutical ingredients such as amphetamine and/or sibutramine.

Sibutramine is known to considerably raise blood pressure and/or pulse rate in some individuals and may pose a significant risk for those with heart conditions.

Banned in many countries since 2010, health authorities have warned that sibutramine – containing weight loss products may adversely interact with other health medications and put a consumer’s life at risk.  (FREEMAN)