FDA finds some "natural" dietary supplements are, in fact, not

The New York Times reports today that, in a continuing investigation that has prompted consumer warnings and recalls by some distributors, the FDA has determined that dozens of weight-loss supplements contain hidden and potentially harmful drugs. For example, the agency found that the "StarCaps" weight-loss capsules, promoted as natural dietary supplements using papaya, contain a potent pharmaceutical drug called bumetanide which can have serious side effects. According to the article, the agency plans to issue a longer list of brands that are spiked with drugs. Michael Levy, the director of the F.D.A.’s division of New Drugs and Labeling Compliance is quoted as saying “A large percentage of these products either contain dangerous undeclared ingredients or they might be outright fraudulent on the ingredients and have no effect at all,” said “We don’t think consumers should be using these products.” The article is available here. Thanks to Drug and Device Law Blog for the cite.