December 28, 2001. FTC Action
      The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has filed a lawsuit against Western Dietary Products Co., dba Western Herb & Dietary Products, Inc. for making unsubstantiated preventive health claims about the use of various herbal products and devices.  [ more info ]

December 21, 2001. Kava advisory
      The Medicines Control Agency (U.K.) has issued a statement applauding the voluntary suspension of kava-kava sales by the herbal sector in the light of recent reports from Germany and Switzerland concerning the possible association between this dietary supplement ingredient and the potential for adverse liver reactions following its use. [ more info ]

December 19, 2001. Kava advisory
      The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has written to health care professionals informing them that products containing herbal extracts of kava have been implicated in Europe in at least 25 cases of serious liver toxicity including hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver failure. The agency has requested the assistance of health care professionals in reviewing cases of liver toxicity to determine if any may be related to the use of kava-containing dietary supplements. [ more info ]

November 19, 2001. LipoKinetix warning
      The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has alerted consumers and health care professionals about LipoKinetix, a dietary supplement weight loss product. This product has been implicated in a number of serious adverse reactions related to liver injury. [ more info ]

October 31, 2001. Amp II Pro siezed
      At the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. marshals have seized $2.8 million worth of AMP II Pro Drops from Biogenics Inc., of St. George, Utah. The unapproved drug was labeled as a dietary supplement for weight loss, but it contained ephedrine HCl, a drug ingredient prohibited in dietary supplements. [ more info ]

October 5, 2001. Aristolochic acid advisory
      Health Canada has issued an updated advisory concerning additional substances, and related products that may contain, or be closely associated with aristolochic acid, a compound well documented as a potential health hazard. [ more info ]
      For additional products containing this herbal ingredient that have been recalled, please see our summary of alerts and recalls for aristolochic acid.

September 17, 2001. Aristolochic acid survey
      Health Canada has issued a recall on several traditional Chinese medicines after a survey revealed they contain the potentially dangerous aristolochic acid. [ more info ]

September 5, 2001. Tiratricol (TRIAC) advisory
      The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a news release on the recall of T3, a dietary supplement manufactured by Global Enterprises, because it contains a potentially dangerous thyroid hormone, tiratricol, also known as TRIAC. [ more info ]

August 24, 2001. Aristolochic acid advisory
      Health Canada has issued an advisory warning against the possibilty of serious health hazards resulting from the use of the Chinese herbal product, Tao Chih Pien, which contains the potentially dangerous aristolochic acid. [ more info ]

August 17, 2001. Aristolochic acid advisory
      Health Canada has issued an updated advisory on the use of herbal products that contain the potentially dangerous aristolochic acid. [ more info ]

August 8, 2001. Baycol recall
      The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a Talk Paper on the Bayer Pharmaceutical's voluntary recall of Baycol because of potential medical complications resulting from its use. Although not a dietary supplement, this prescription drug is used by many individuals as a cholesterol-lowering agent, a subject of considerable interest among individuals concerned about preventive health. [ more info ]

July 31, 2001. Pacific Biologic recall
      The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a news release on the recall of yet another firm's herbal remedies that contain the potentially dangerous aristolochic acid. [ more info ]

July 27, 2001. BioPharm recall
      The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a news release on the recall of BioPharm brand T-Cuts because it contains tiratricol (also known as triidothyroacetic acid or TRIAC). Tiratricol is a potent thyroid hormone that may cause serious health consequences including heart attacks and strokes. [ more info ]
      For additional information, see the FDA's November 21, 2000 TRIAC alert.

July 6, 2001. Comfrey warning
      The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an advisory to dietary supplement manufacturer interest groups concerning the potential health dangers associated with the use of products containing the herbal ingredient comfrey.  [ more info ]

June 20, 2001. Aristolochic acid
      Aristolochic acid remains in the news as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issues still another recall on a dietary supplement product containing this potentially dangerous herbal ingredient. Please see our summary of alerts and recalls for aristolochic acid.  [ more info ]

June 14, 2001. Ephedra (ephedrine) advisory
      Health Canada has issued an advisory warning against the possibilty of serious, or even fatal health hazards resulting from the use of products containing Ephedra, or ephedrine derivatives.  [ more info ]

May 30, 2001. Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) recall
      In a follow-up to an alert issued on November 6, 2000, Health Canada has now officially recalled medicines and cold remedies containing the ingredient, phenylpropanolamine (PPA). An updated list of products known to contain PPA is also included.  [ more info ]   [ updated product list in PDF format ]

May 22, 2001. Natural Organics' Nature's Plus recall
      The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a news release on the recall of Natural Organics' Nature's Plus brand of digestive aid dietary supplements, due to possible health risks resulting from Salmonella poisoning.  [ more info ]

May 21, 2001. Aristolochic acid
      The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a news release on yet another dietary supplement containing aristolochic acid. Vital Nutrients has voluntarily recalled two products, Vital Nutrients Joint Ease and Verified Quality Joint Comfort Complex, both of which contain this potentially dangerous compound.  [ more info ]
      See also the April 11, 2001 news item summarizing the aristolochic acid alerts.

May 18, 2001. Licata Enterprises recall
      The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a news release on the recall of Licata Enterprises' Acti-Gest and Super Enzyme digestive aid products, due to possible health risks resulting from Salmonella contamination.  [ more info ]

May 17, 2001. Karuna HCl recall
      The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a news release on the voluntary recall of Karuna Corporation's nutritional supplement HCl, due to possible health risks resulting from Salmonella poisoning.  [ more info ]

May 5, 2001. Metabolife Diet and Energy Bar recall
      Metabolife International has voluntarily recalled its Diet and Energy Bars distributed throughout the U.S. between December 25, 2000 and May 4, 2001. Due to an error by the contract manufacturer, these products contain an excess of vitamin A (as much as 32,500 IU per bar), levels than can lead to dangerous health problems, particularly in pregnant women and children (see health risks for vitamin A).
      The products affected include all lot numbers of Diet and Energy Bars in Outrageous Oatmeal Raisin, Perfectly Peanut, Downright Chocolate and Lemony Lemon flavors distributed during the stated 4 month period. The company has stated that no illnesses have been reported from these products to date. Consumers who have purchased these dietary supplements should either destroy them, or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. No other Metabolife products are affected by this recall.

April 27, 2001. Solgar Digestive Aid 100's recall
      The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a Talk Paper on the recall of Solgar Vitamin and Herb Company's Digestive Aid 100's dietary supplements, due to possible health risks resulting from Salmonella poisoning.  [ more info ]

April 11, 2001. Aristolochic acid
      The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has redoubled its efforts to alert consumers, health professionals and the dietary supplement industry about the potential health dangers associated with the use of aristolochic acid. Warnings have been issued to all concerning the use of the botanical aristolochia sp. and its derivatives. Health Canada and the Medicines Control Agency (U.K.) have also issued warnings and alerts concerning the use of this botanical.  [ more info ]

February 28, 2001. Tricosanthin alkaloids...
      Health Canada has issued a public health warning concerning the use of traditional Chinese herbal supplements containing tricosanthin alkaloids, turbocurarine and related substances. The two products specifically noted in this warning are Bao Ji Wan Pills and Chinese Modular Solutions Chest Relief Tablets.  [ more info ]

February 20, 2001. Anso Comfort dietary supplement
      The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has posted a news release informing consumers about the recall of the dietary supplement, Anso Comfort capsules. The herbal product has been found to contain the undeclared prescription drug chlordiazepoxide, a potentially harmful substance if not used with medical supervision.  [ more info ]

January 19, 2001. BMK Intl. Neo Concept Aller Relief dietary supplement
      The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has posted a news release informing consumers about the recall of BMK International's Neo Concept Aller Relief. The product has been found to contain the potentially dangerous substance, aristolochic acid.  [ more info ]