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Feds Seize Supplements Containing Ephedra

December 7, 2005

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Federal agents have seized Nature's Treat Energy Plus #1 dietary supplements, charging that they contain ephedra, an adrenaline-like stimulant that can have potentially dangerous effects on the heart.

U.S. Marshals seized 2,634 bottles (120 capsules per bottle) of Nature's Treat Energy Plus #1 from Nature's Treat, Inc., Gainesville, Texas. Also seized were 363 bottles of the same lot numbers from ACD Distributing, Eugene, Oregon. The seized products have a total retail value of approximately $150,000.

"FDA will do all we can to protect Americans from potentially dangerous dietary supplements," said Andrew von Eschenbach, MD, Acting Food and Drug Administration Commissioner.

"We will continue to warn consumers to avoid consumption of dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids."

Recent studies have confirmed that ephedrine alkaloids raise blood pressure and otherwise stress the circulatory system, effects that are linked to adverse health effects like heart attacks and strokes.

Based on this and other evidence in the scientific literature, FDA issued a rule in 2004 declaring that dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids present an unreasonable risk of illness or injury.

According to the product's label, the recommended daily dose of Energy Plus #1 contains 46.8 mg of ephedrine alkaloids.

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