HSA warns of three weight loss products sold on Shopee after consumers suffer adverse effects

SINGAPORE: Three weight loss products sold on Shopee were flagged by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) on Friday (Jan 12) after they were found to contain a banned toxic substance. 

Members of the public were urged not to buy or consume Nature Slim, Slimming Seven Days by Figure Up and Energy Booster Figure-Up New Look Strong Version - all of which were marketed as "natural" or "herbal" but were found to have high amounts of sibutramine. 

Two people experienced adverse effects after consuming two of the products.

HSA said in its press release that it has worked with Shopee's platform administrator to remove the affected listings and warned the sellers.

ADVERSE EFFECTS

One consumer experienced rapid heartbeat, dry mouth and extreme thirst after taking Nature Slim for two months.

Although her friend told her that these side effects were normal because the product helped “enhance metabolism”, she became suspicious after finding out from a previous HSA press release that the effects could be due to the presence of sibutramine. She made a report to HSA.

Another consumer experienced dry mouth, extreme thirst and insomnia after taking Slimming Seven Days by Figure Up for a few days. It was marketed as a traditional product “used to reduce body weight and fats” and “suppress appetite".

An analysis by HSA revealed that Slimming Seven Days by Figure Up and Energy Booster Figure-Up New Look Strong Version contained very high levels of sibutramine.

Sibutramine is a prescription-only weight loss medicine that has been banned in Singapore since 2010 due to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Other serious health consequences reported with its use include heart problems and central nervous system disorders, such as psychosis and hallucinations. 

HSA previously received serious adverse effect reports of consumers experiencing hallucinations, palpitations, breathlessness or hearing voices after consuming slimming products adulterated with sibutramine.

In one case, a consumer experienced an extremely fast heart rate and became unconscious. She was resuscitated but suffered debilitating consequences, including the implantation of a defibrillator to help her heart to function.

FALSE CLAIMS, MISLEADING LOGOS

HSA 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).

HSA urged people to stop consuming the products immediately and to see a doctor if they feel unwell.

It added that consumers should not buy products from unknown or unverifiable sources and that they should "exercise caution" when buying products online or from overseas. This is because it is difficult to determine where and how the products were made and whether they have been adulterated with harmful ingredients.

It said that if consumers are purchasing products online, they should only buy on the websites of reputable pharmacies and retailers or those with an established retail presence in Singapore.

"All sellers and suppliers must stop selling these products immediately," said HSA.

"HSA will not hesitate to take stern enforcement actions against anyone who sells and supplies products found to be adulterated with banned substances or potent ingredients."

Sellers and suppliers are liable to prosecution and if convicted, they may be jailed for up to two years and/or fined up to S$10,000 (US$7,500).