Weight Loss can be Dangerous

THE CASE

The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration has placed a range of weight loss products called "Hydroxycut" on it's watch list.

It's all a bit bizarre.

The TGA is responding to the US FDA's (Food and Drug Administration) asking the supplier, Iovate Health Sciences Inc, to recall the product and advising consumers to stop using it. This follows a spate of reports of adverse reactions and even a death associated with Hydroxycut.

The Australian supplier of the Hydroxycut range has explained that the product sold here is different from the US product, and therefore is safe. A recall is not warranted. Unfortunately for them this statement flies in the face of the Australian advertising that states:

"Hydroxycut^® is America's #1 selling weight-loss supplement and is a brand name sold in over 70 countries around the world. It has been a lasting weight-loss brand. And it works!"

In other words they are saying:

1. "Buy our product - it works in the US"
2. "Don't worry about the US safety warnings, our product is different"

....Duh!!....

Most of the ingredient appear top be ordinary things found in most kitchens, such as tea, coffee and ginger (sure is an expensive way to buy these). We know what it contains, but there is not the slightest indication of HOW it works.

When will our regulators really start to regulate? All therapeutic products both mainstream and complementary must be forced to pass the following tests:

IS IT SAFE? and DOES IT WORK?

In addition products that receive any public subsidy such as by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) or by out heavily subsidised health funds need to pass another test -

IS IT AS EFFECTIVE AS EXISTING PRODUCTS?

Anyway, back to Hydroxucut. The online version of Choice, the media arm of the Australian Consumers Assocoation (ACA) has issued a warning:

"CHOICE does not believe the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)’s advice to stop using Hydoxycut dietary supplements purchased online from the US provides adequate consumer protection. "

MY VERDICT

Hear Hear!

And make sure the product you are using has one of the Australian Listing numbers on the packaging. If it doesn't it is probably illegally imported with even less assurance of integrity and quality.