Imported diet products have been seized by the Food Authority in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. They contained the banned drug Sibutramine, which has been linked to heart problems and deaths.
Sibutramine, which has been sold under brand names Reductil, Meridia and Sibutrex, is no longer on the market in many countries - including the US, UK, Australia and Canada.
However, the NSW Food Authority has found sibutramine in diet products imported from China, which make no mention of the illegal ingredient on their packaging. The Food Authority released a statement listing some specific brands and products that have been recalled.
The affected products include chocolate bars, coffees and teas marketed at slimmers.
Whether or not you're Australian, see this as a warning. As Minister Steve Whan puts it:
Everyone is full of good intentions as the year begins but generally if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
If you take special diet products or supplements to help with weight loss, be sure that they are medically sound. In this case, the sibutramine was included in food products with names like "Lose Weight Coffee" - which may sound innocuous.
Rather than turning to chemicals that claim to help you lose weight unnaturally fast, focus on changing your eating habits for the long term. You'll save money, and you'll be healthier.
Image credit: Rev Dan Catt
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