Warning Issued by FDA on Unapproved Brazilian Diet Drugs

By Elizabeth Rhein

Published on January 20, 2006

The potentially dangerous substances in the drugs were found by Toxicology Testing Service Inc. in Miami. Testing was requested by several people who risked losing their jobs after drug screening programs flagged them as positive for amphetamines. Outraged, they narrowed the possible sources to the Brazilian diet drugs.

Because these drugs are marketed over the Internet and imported from a foreign country, the FDA has no jurisdiction over the safety, contents, or effectiveness of these drugs. Although the marketing materials for the diet aids bill the ingredients as "all-natural," a number of different man-made compounds were found in some samples of the drugs, leading the FDA to issue a warning to the public.

According to the FDA, all of the Brazilian diet pills are imported and distributed by either Emagrece Sim Laboratories, Inc. in Miami, or by EMIEX Corp. in Doral, Florida. EMIEX has reported that its current stock of the pills will either be destroyed or returned to the manufacturer.

People who have taken or are currently taking the drug should immediately contact their medical providers to determine the best course of action.

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