FDA seizes illegal dietary supplements in Florida

[February 15, 2013]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Food and Drug Administration says U.S. marshals have seized illegal dietary supplements from a Florida company because some may contain a dangerous pharmaceutical ingredient.

Several of the supplements from Globe All Wellness LLC contain the active ingredient in Meridia, a weight loss drug that was withdrawn from the market in 2010. The drug was pulled after studies showed it could increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Among other problems, the Hollywood, Florida-based company made unsubstantiated claims about the benefits of its products and did not comply with manufacturing standards.

Dietary supplements are subject to lighter regulation than prescription drugs. They cannot contain prescription drug ingredients or claim to treat disease.

Government agents seized various lots of products including: SlimXtreme, SlimPlus, SlimLee, GelSlim, SlimDrops and Colonew.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.