Singapore Health Authority Warns of 3 Weight Loss Products Sold on Shopee After Consumers Suffer Adverse Effects

3 weight loss products sold on Shopee have been flagged by the Singapore health authority after they were found to contain a banned toxic substance.

The products – Nature Slim, Slimming Seven Days by Figure Up and Energy Booster Figure-Up New Look Strong Version – were marketed as “natural” or “herbal” but were found to have high amounts of sibutramine, a prescription-only weight loss medicine banned in Singapore since 2010 due to the risk of heart attack and stroke.

2 people experienced adverse effects after consuming 2 of the products. One consumer experienced rapid heartbeat, dry mouth and extreme thirst after taking Nature Slim for 2 months. Another consumer experienced dry mouth, extreme thirst and insomnia after taking Slimming Seven Days by Figure Up for a few days.

Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority said that the products were labelled to contain herbal ingredients such as green tea, cactus and raspberry extracts. In addition, Slimming Seven Days by Figure Up was labelled as “100% natural” while Nature Slim claimed to contain a “botanical extract”.

The products were also falsely labelled with “GMP” logos, which may mislead consumers into believing that the products are safe and manufactured under high quality standards certified by Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP).

Source: Channel News Asia (12 January 2024)

Original article here:
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/weight-loss-products-side-effects-warning-adverse-effects-health-sciences-authority-hsa-4043336?