‘All-Natural’ Diet Supplements Contain Amphetamine-Like Compound

Scientists from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tested 21 supplements claiming to be “natural” and determined that nine of the 21 contained a non-natural amphetamine-like compound. The testing has been reported by USA Today, but the FDA is not yet divulging which supplements contained the compound. The FDA also has not issued any warnings yet.

All 21 products list an ingredient on their labels called Acacia rigidula, which is a plant found in Texas and Mexico. However, the FDA did not find the amphetamine-like substance in samples of the plant. The FDA also notes that the compound appears to have never been tested for safety on humans, they said.

The supplements with Acacia rigidula are marketed for weight loss, energy, and mood stabilizing. USA Today found that products with Acacia rigidula are sold by Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals of Norcross, Ga. The product names include Fastin-XR, Stimerex, and Lipodrene Hardcore. Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals has run into prior problems with the FDA over its marketing practices and ingredients.

Earlier this fall, another team found a methamphetamine-like compound in the workout supplement, Craze. One doctor who participated in the earlier study believes that the FDA is not acting quickly enough to warn consumers about these additives.