VidaSlim products recalled over ‘serious or even fatal’ poisoning risk: FDA – National

A warning on addition users: a Texas-based company is pulling several of its weight loss products off the shelves after the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) discovered a potentially deadly ingredient in product samples.

On December 13, the FDA and the company Motivate Me Ashley announced the recall of 11 products sold under the name VidaSlim online – including to consumers in Canada – and directly through distributors.

The recall followed FDA testing, which revealed yellow oleander in product samples, raising concerns that other lots may also be affected.

Yellow oleander is a poisonous plant native to Mexico and Central America.

The FDA issued a warning as part of a ongoing research in products sold as tejocote root – also known as Crataegus mexicana, Raiz de Tejocote or Mexican Hawthorn – which are found to contain yellow oleander instead.

Tejocote root is a traditional remedy used for digestion, weight management, blood pressure and inflammation. However, FDA testing revealed that certain products labeled as tejocote root or Brazil seed were adulterated and contained toxic yellow oleander, a major public health concern.

Trending now

• 3 men from the United Kingdom charged in the beating death of the owner of an Ontario restaurant

• Danny Masterson appeals rape convictions in 2023, seeks ‘full acquittal’

According to the FDA, consuming yellow oleander can lead to serious or even fatal neurological, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular effects.

Reported symptoms include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, diarrhea, abdominal pain, heart irregularities and arrhythmia.

The affected supplements include:

• VidaSlim 90-Days (Original Root, Root Plus, and Root Capsules)
• VidaSlim 30-Day (Original Root, Root Plus, and Root Capsules)
• VidaSlim 7-Day Sample Size (Original Root, Root Plus, and Root Capsules)
• VidaSlim Hot Body Brew (strawberry and peach flavors)

Consumers who have purchased the above-mentioned VidaSlim products with expiration dates between December 2024 and December 2025 are urged to stop using them and return them to the place of purchase to exchange for a product of equal value (proof of purchase required).

There are no reported illnesses linked to this recall, the FDA said.

For a more detailed list of the affected products, visit the FDA website.

& copy 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.