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  1. Medication Health Fraud

Public Notification: Fruta Bio contains hidden drug ingredients

[06-15-2021] Update: FDA attempted several times to contact frutabio to discuss how the company can protect consumers from these dangerous products. This product was sold by frutabio via eBay. See FDA’s press release for additional information.


[12-17-2020] The Food and Drug Administration is advising consumers not to purchase or use Fruta Bio, a product promoted and sold for weight loss on various websites and possibly in some retail stores.

Fruta Bio

FDA laboratory analysis confirmed that Fruta Bio purchased from eBay.com contains sibutramine and phenolphthalein. Sibutramine is a controlled substance that was removed from the market in October 2010 for safety reasons. This product poses a threat to consumers because sibutramine is known to substantially increase blood pressure and/or heart rate in some people and may present a significant risk for people with a history of coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, or stroke. This product may also interact, in life-threatening ways, with other medications a consumer may be taking.

Phenolphthalein is a chemical that is not an active ingredient in any approved drug in the United States. Studies have indicated that it may increase the risk of cancer.

Health care professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of this product to FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:

Note: This notification is to inform the public of a growing trend of dietary supplements or conventional foods with hidden drugs and chemicals. These products are typically promoted for sexual enhancement, weight loss, and body building and are often represented as being “all natural.” FDA is unable to test and identify all products marketed as dietary supplements that have potentially harmful hidden ingredients. Consumers should exercise caution before purchasing any product in the above categories.

Please refer to the links below for more information:

 

Public Notification: Fruta Bio contains hidden drug ingredients

The Food and Drug Administration is advising consumers not to purchase or use Fruta Bio, a product promoted and sold for weight loss on various websites, including eBay.com, and possibly in some retail stores.

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