Weight loss products that are labeled to contain bee pollen and promise weight loss could contain potentially-harmful ingredients.
Bee pollen can be nourishing to larva, but is not believed to be a miracle weight loss ingredient, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) news release reported. Harmful ingredients in these types of products could endanger the health of people with conditions such as "irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure and bipolar disorders."
The FDA recently urged users of Zi Xiu Tang Bee Pollen to immediately stop using the product because it was found to contain at least one potentially harmful ingredient that was not listed on the label. This product, and others like it, were found to contain undeclared sibutramine or phenolphthalein.
Many bee pollen products are marketed as dietary supplements or holistic treatments for certain conditions such as "obesity, allergies, high blood pressure and high cholesterol." It is illegal to falsely advertise that a product treats these conditions.
"It's a very elaborate and sophisticated scheme," Jason Humbert, a senior regulatory manager with FDA's Office of Regulatory Affairs, said in the news release. "It preys on people's weaknesses. They want the product to work."
The FDA has received over 50 reports of adverse events associated with these bee pollen products; at least one death has occurred as well as reports of "serious cardiac issues, chest pain, heart palpitations, tachycardia (increased heart rate), increased blood pressure, seizures, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, insomnia and diarrhea," the news release reported.
"When people buy these tainted bee pollen weight loss products, they are unknowingly taking one or more hidden drugs that have been banned from the market," Gary Coody, R.Ph., FDA's national health fraud coordinator said in the news release.
Other products that have been recalled for this reason include: "Ultimate Formula, Fat Zero, Bella Vi Amp'd Up, Insane Amp'd Up, Slim Trim U, Infinity, Perfect Body Solution, Asset Extreme, Asset Extreme Plus, Asset Bold and Asset Bee Pollen," the news release reported.
