Healthy Skepticism Library item: 15424

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: news

Cresswell A.
TGA launches probe into banned slimming product
The Australian 2009 Apr 9
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25311755-23289,00.html

Full text:

THE maker of a herbal weight-loss product battling claims it might cause serious heart problems was told by drug regulators to stop selling it four years ago.

The product, called Mega Slim, is being urgently tested by the Therapeutic Goods Administration for possible health risks after a complaint was sent to the watchdog on Tuesday urging an immediate recall.

The complaint said the product contained a “very large dose” of the herb bitter orange, which had been linked to 16 cases of heart attack, rapid heartbeat, blackout and collapse — two of them fatal — in reports to Canadian health authorities between 1998 to 2004.

Bitter orange, also known as Citrus aurantium, contains a stimulant called synephrine, which has been linked to heart problems particularly when mixed with caffeine.

The company behind Mega Slim, the Victorian-based Next Generation Supplements, says the herb is contained in many other products and denies there is any evidence it poses a health danger.

Company co-owner Eddy Tannourji has claimed the TGA tested Mega Slim three years ago “and said we were fine to continue with our product”.

But last night the TGA revealed it had told the company in 2005 that it was breaking the law by making health claims for Mega Slim without having listed the product on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods, and told the company to cease making and supplying the product until a listing had been made.

“Mr Tannourji replied in writing dated 27 July 2005 that his website would be temporarily closed until all of the necessary changes were made,” a TGA spokeswoman said.

The following year, TGA officers discovered the company was operating again and went to its premises to take samples.

The TGA said it again asked the company to cease selling the product until it had been listed on the ARTG.

“When it was drawn to the TGA’s attention that the website was again operative, we contacted the company immediately and believe it has now closed,” the spokeswoman said.

She said the TGA was now “analysing the product to establish if in fact there is any risk to human health and safety”.

Mr Tannourji defended the company’s conduct, insisting that despite its name — and promotional material featuring “before and after” photographs of bikini-clad women — Mega Slim was a food rather than a health product.

“Most people will be trying Mega Slim because they want an energy boost before they work out,” Mr Tannourji said.

“We don’t claim that it performs miracles … the product would probably sell a lot more if we claimed it did assist with weight loss.”