FDA Warns of Toxic Yellow Oleander in Some Botanical Weight-Loss Products
The FDA has warned consumers about certain botanical weight-loss products found to contain toxic yellow oleander, urging disposal and continued investigation.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a public warning about certain botanical weight-loss products that were found to contain yellow oleander, a toxic plant substance. The agency said laboratory analysis determined that some products labeled as tejocote root or Brazil seed are adulterated because they contain the poisonous compound.
The FDA advised consumers to immediately stop using and dispose of any products that contain yellow oleander. The agency has added three more products to its existing safety alert on the matter, expanding the list of items under scrutiny.
This action is part of a broader ongoing investigation into the safety of botanical weight-loss products currently on the market. The FDA said it continues to test such products specifically for the presence of yellow oleander, which can cause serious health risks if ingested.
Consumers who have purchased supplements labeled as tejocote root or Brazil seed are urged to check the FDA's safety alert and verify whether their product is among those flagged. The agency has not specified the brand names or distribution channels of the newly added products in this advisory.