The Consumer Council today (August 4) issued a severe warning on the consumption of two slimming health food products purportedly made of only herbal ingredients.
In a test on health food products commonly available to consumers in the market, the Council has uncovered a western drug ingredient, sibutramine, contrary to their own label claims, in two of these products.
Sibutramine, an appetite suppressant, is known to induce such adverse side effects as increasing blood pressure and heart rate.
The health food in question was sold under the brandnames "
The Consumer Council warned consumers who have purchased the products to immediately cease using them, and to seek medical advice if they feel unwell.
In particular, people with heart or circulatory system problems should not take it. The drug may also induce headache, dryness in the mouth, constipation and insomnia.
Products containing sibutramine are classified as Third Schedule poisons under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance. They are required to be registered before put on sales, and must be sold only on a doctor's prescription and dispensed under a pharmacist's supervision.
The Consumer Council has duly notified the Department of Health of the test findings. The results were subsequently confirmed by analysis of the Government Laboratory. The Department will take follow-up action, and a hotline 2319 2839 for public enquiries.
Condemning the practice, the Council called on the manufacturers or their agents to recall the products concerned, and to refund to consumers who have bought them. Consumers may call the Council's hotline 2929 2222 for assistance.
The Council will be in contact with the manufacturers for refund arrangements. Consumers should therefore retain all proof of usage, including receipts of purchase, remaining portions of the products, and any other related documents such as doctors' receipts and medical reports as a result of adverse effects of taking the products.
The shock findings were uncovered in the first batch of 11 models of slimming health food products, which were under test by the Consumer Council. A total of more than 30 models are to be included in this test project.
In view of the potential serious health hazard to consumers, the Council has decided to release the test results to the public at the first instance.
The Council has long been concerned with the sales and consumption of health food products with slimming claims of various descriptions.
Many consumers have often the mistaken assumption that such products made from Chinese herbal preparations and natural plants are safe to consume without adverse side effects.
Consumers are advised that the use of Chinese or western medicines as well as health food supplements should be supervised under the guidance of medical professionals. They should let their doctors know the full extent of drugs and health supplements that they regularly take.
Issued by
Consumer Council
4 August 2005