More Sibutramine-Containing “Natural” Weight Loss Supps Seized
According to NBC News in Miami, U.S. Marshals seized a range of weight loss products produced by Globe All Wellness, which the FDA claimed were adulterated with sibutramine. Sibutramine, a prescription weight loss drug, was withdrawn from the U.S. market in 2010, after it was found to increase heart attack/stroke risk.
The FDA’s press release lists the following products:
- SlimXtreme
- SlimXtreme Gold
- SlimPlus
- SlimLee
- GelSlim
- SlimDrops
- Colonew
In its report on the product seizure, Nutraingredients USA noted that the company president, Eran Hamami and his “sometime business partner,” Alexander Treynker, have a history of legal/regulatory problems. A warning letter was issued to the former in Feb. 2012, over the presence of both sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra) and sibutramine in some of his company’s products. The FDA also found GMP violations during recent inspections.
In addition, Hamami and Treynker are facing a class action lawsuit filed in 2011 by Catherine Hyde. In this Courthouse News Service summary, Ms. Hyde claimed she suffered adverse effects after taking SlimXtreme “intentionally spiked with sibutramine” (the Broward County Clerk of the Court site lists the case status as “pending” – the wheels of justice grind slowly, indeed).
Nice guys, eh? All the more reason to stick with well-known weight loss products from reliable retailers (see Paul’s recommendations) – assuming you use a weight loss supplement at all.
February 20, 2013
What a couple scumbags! I agree, stick with reliable retailers. Especially the ones recommended by you and Paul.
February 21, 2013
To be honest, I have little use for most branded supplement blends. There are plenty of good quality, inexpensive, single ingredient products out there. IMHO, “rolling your own” with a short list of ingredients is the best solution of all. K.I.S.S. rulz!