Dec. 22, 2008

FYI: Tainted Weight-Loss Pills

Learn More About The FDA's New Warning About 25 Weight-Loss Products

  •  (CBS)

  • Interactive Diet And Nutrition

    Are you eating right? See the government's guidelines, calculate your body mass index and quiz yourself on healthy food choices.

  • Quiz Are You Food Savvy?

    Have you consumed myths about diet and nutrition? Take these quizzes to find out.

(CBS)  The FDA warned consumers Monday to neither consume nor purchase a slate of more than 25 different weight-loss products. Each may contain "undeclared, active pharmaceutical ingredients that may put consumers' health at risk," the FDA said in a release.

The drugs the FDA warns could be tainted:

  • 2 Day Diet
  • 3x Slimming Power
  • 3 Day Diet
  • 5x Imelda Perfect Slimming
  • 7 Day Herbal Slim
  • 7 Diet Day/Night Formula
  • 8 Factor Diet
  • 999 Fitness Essence
  • Extrim Plus
  • Fatloss Slimming
  • GMP
  • Imelda Perfect Slim
  • Japan Lingzhi 24 Hours Diet
  • Lida DaiDaihua
  • Miaozi Slim Capsules
  • Perfect Slim
  • Perfect Slim 5x
  • Phyto Shape
  • ProSlim Plus
  • Royal Slimming Formula
  • Slim 3 in 1
  • Slim Express 360
  • Slimtech
  • Somotrim
  • Superslim
  • TripleSlim
  • Venom Hyperdrive 3.0
  • Zhen de Shou

    The FDA warning comes after an analysis found that the "undeclared active pharmaceutical ingredients" in some of the products contained a controlled substance, a drug not approved for marketing in the United States and a suspected cancer-causing agent.

    According to the FDA:
    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. 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 the FDA, are illegal and may be potentially harmful to unsuspecting consumers.

    The FDA advises consumers who have used any of these products to stop taking them and consult their healthcare professional immediately. The FDA encourages consumers to seek guidance from a healthcare professional before purchasing weight loss products.

    "These tainted weight loss products pose a great risk to public health because they contain undeclared ingredients and, in some cases, contain prescription drugs in amounts that greatly exceed their maximum recommended dosages," said Janet Woodcock, M.D., director, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, FDA.

    "Consumers have no way of knowing that these products contain powerful drugs that could cause serious health consequences. Therefore FDA is taking this action to protect the health of the American public."
    To learn more, click here. You can also find consumer information about weight-loss pills here. Also, you can read the FDA’s Compliance Policy Guide right here.


    © MMVIII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    Add a Comment
    by missybelle-2009 December 23, 2008 5:48 PM EST
    What about a sensible diet and exercise? Or pushing one''s self away from the table? What about taking the stairs instead of the elevator?
    Reply to this comment
    by pattiecake3 December 23, 2008 5:36 PM EST
    What do you know about Extreme ACA Berry Melt away tablets?
    Can a person with hipotheriod take these rablets?
    Reply to this comment
    by alr52 December 23, 2008 3:41 PM EST
    What do youknow about the diet pill Atrophex by BSN. I heard of people having seizues from that diet pill also and getting very sick. Maybe they should check the ingredients in that diet pill also.
    Reply to this comment
    by alr52 December 23, 2008 3:37 PM EST
    Also are they any reports on the diet pill Atrophex made by BSN. I have heard of people have seizures when they took that diet pill also. Maybe they should check the ingredients in it.
    Reply to this comment
    by klmtexas December 22, 2008 10:49 PM EST
    How about some accountability from CBS?
    FDA says avoid these, illegal, see your doctor, etc. And the google ad on this same page is selling several of them!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Reply to this comment
    by lila356 December 22, 2008 10:38 PM EST
    Great FDA....now what about BPA in plastics and melamine in baby formula?
    Reply to this comment
    by kcsavon December 22, 2008 10:14 PM EST
    What do you know about Solo Slim. I took it and on the first day of taking it I had a siezure that night when I went to bed. My neuorlogists does not think that it had anything to do with it. I did not feel good all day. Just wondering if there are any reports on that diet pill.
    Reply to this comment
  • Exclusive Webshow

    Michelle Obama tells how her role as the First Lady has changed her perspective. Watch Now

    Latest News
    News in Pictures
    Scroll Left Scroll Right
    • The Fall Of The Berlin Wall The Fall Of The Berlin Wall

      Looking Back at the Wall that Once Divided Germany On the 20th Anniversary of Its Collapse

    • Patricia Clarkson Patricia Clarkson

      Television and Film Actress, Yale School of Drama Graduate and Academy Award Nominee

    • Day in Pictures Day in Pictures

      A Glimpse at the Day's News as Seen Through a Camera Lens

    • Andre Agassi Andre Agassi

      Former Top-Seeded Tennis Star, Gossip Column Favorite and Philanthropist

    • Yankees Victory Parade Yankees Victory Parade

      The Yankees Celebrate Their 27th World Series Championship with a Ticker-Tape Parade Up Broadway

    • Orlando Office Shooting Orlando Office Shooting

      A Gunman Opens Fire at the Offices of an Engineering Firm Where He Once Worked

    Connect with CBS News

    Stay connected with the CBS News using your favorite social networks and online news applications: