Herbal Dietary Supplements Recalled for Cancer, Heart Failure, Stroke Risks

GMP Herbal Products weight loss dietary supplements are being recalled because the products contain undeclared ingredients that may cause cancer, increased blood pressure, and higher risks of fatal heart attacks and strokes.

All lots of Pai You Guo products, sold in both capsules and powdered forms, are involved in today’s voluntary recall, the Food and Drug Administration and company officials said. FDA laboratory analysis of the dietary supplements found they contained FDA-approved drugs for appetite suppression and other ingredients which are not approved in the United States.

“The FDA has not approved the Pai You Guo products as drug,” the FDA said in announcing the recall. “The safety and effectiveness of this product is unknown.”

Unapproved Drug Ingredients Cited

The GMP Herbal products were found to contain sibutramine, which is an FDA-approved appetite suppressant, and phenolphthalein, a cancer-causing agent which is not approved in the U.S., the FDA said.

Sibutramine is known to substantially increase blood pressure and/or pulse rate in some people and poses risks of injury, particularly to those with a history of congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, stroke, and arrhythmia (irregular heart beat), the FDA said.

The recalled dietary supplements were sold nationwide over the Internet, officials said. There have been no illnesses or injuries reported in people using the products, the FDA said.

AUTHOR: tgrenda