FDA Tells Supplement Makers Their Products Contain Potentially Dangerous Stimulant

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned the makers of eight dietary supplements that their products contain a potentially dangerous stimulant called BMPEA, The New York Times reports.

At least three U.S. senators and a team of researchers have been urging the FDA to remove BMPEA from the market. In 2013, the agency tested 21 workout and weight-loss supplements that listed acacia rigidula among their ingredients, and found nine of the products contained BMPEA. The FDA did not release the names of the products or warn consumers about the risk, the article notes.

A study published earlier this month found BMPEA in 11 of 21 supplements that listed acacia rigidula as an ingredient. Dr. Pieter Cohen of Harvard Medical School, who led the study, said companies were adding the stimulant and hiding it under the name of a rare plant to make it appear the chemical was a natural botanical extract.

Soon after the study appeared, Senator Charles Schumer of New York urged the FDA to ban over-the-counter dietary supplements that contain BMPEA. The stimulant can lead to increased heart rate and blood pressure, as well as sleeplessness and other serious health problems, health experts warn. BMPEA, which closely resembles amphetamine stimulants, may be addictive, Schumer said.

Senators Richard Durbin of Illinois and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut have also urged the FDA to take action against supplements containing BMPEA.

The FDA said it sent warning letters last Thursday to five companies whose supplements contain BMPEA. The letters said the chemical was not an appropriate dietary supplement nor an extract of acacia rigidula. The companies were Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals, Human Evolution Supplements, Train Naked Labs, Better Body Sports, and Tribravus Enterprises.