Dietary Supplements Recalled: Toxic Levels of Selenium
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that some flavors of the dietary supplements "Total Body Formula" and "Total Body Mega Formula" have been found to contain dangerously high levels of selenium -- a naturally-occurring mineral that is toxic in high doses. The sole distributer of the product, Total Body Essential Nutrition, Inc., has issued a voluntary recall.
Tropical Orange and Peach Nectar flavors of "Total Body Formula," as well as the Orange / Tangerine flavor of "Total Body Mega Formula," have been labeled dangerous by the FDA based on their high concentrations of selenium. Adverse health reports have now been received from 43 people in 9 states, according to the agency. Cases have been reported in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas.
Though the ingredient labels of each of these products indicates that the supplements contain only 200 micrograms of selenium, FDA laboratory analysis has revealed that the supplements contain more than 200 times that amount per serving in some instances. The adverse reactions that have been reported in conjunction with these particular supplements generally occurred within 5 to 10 days of daily ingestion of the product. They included significant hair loss, muscle cramps, diarrhea, joint pain, deformed fingernails, and fatigue. Excess selenium consumption can also cause blistering of the skin, health experts warn.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is working with state health departments to identify cases of selenium toxicity caused by these supplements. The CDC is presently urging consumers to throw away all bottles of Total Body Formula Tropical Orange with lot numbers 4016801, 4024801 and 4031801; Total Body Formula Peach Nectar with lot numbers 4016802 and 4031802; and Total Body Mega Formula Orange/Tangerine with lot number 4031803.
Consumers who have been taking these supplements and who have experienced adverse reactions should consult their physician immediately. Consumers and health care professionals, alike, are encouraged to report adverse reactions such as these to the FDA's MedWatch program at 800-FDA-1088 or online at www.fda.gov/medwatch/how.htm.
Previously on the DC Metro Area Medical Malpractice Law Blog, we have posted articles related to:
- A dietary supplement containing Selenium found to cause, rather than cure, diabetes
- Evidence that some dietary supplements contain chemicals that contribute to cancer
- FDA criticism mounts over proposed relaxation of prescribing rules
- Six reasonable guidelines for a healthy diet
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