HSA Alert: 'Body Slim Herbal' and 'Sparkle Twins' Sold Online Found to Contain Banned Substance Sibutramine

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) is alerting members of the public not to purchase or consume two slimming products ‘Body Slim Herbal’ and ‘Sparkle Twins’. HSA had tested both products and found them to contain an undeclared and banned substance, sibutramine, which poses serious health risks. Both products were detected through HSA’s surveillance and were found to be sold on various online platforms. Please refer to Annex A of the pdf version for photos of the products.

Dangers of illegal slimming products sold online

2    Sibutramine has been withdrawn in Singapore since 2010 due to an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. In recent years, HSA has detected several slimming products adulterated with sibutramine. These have caused serious adverse effects in our consumers, including breathing difficulties, palpitations, hallucinations or hearing voices.

3    ‘Body Slim Herbal’ was falsely labelled to be ‘100% natural’ for ‘quick effect, faster weight loss’. It also claimed to be ‘free of side effects’. ‘Sparkle Twins’ was also falsely labelled to contain only natural ingredients and was marketed as a ‘Lemon & Pomegranate Flavour’ drink to promote weight loss. Both products were tested by HSA to contain sibutramine.

Advisory to consumers

4    Consumers are advised to:

  • Stop taking ‘Body Slim Herbal’ or ‘Sparkle Twins’ immediately, and consult a doctor if you feel unwell or are concerned about your health.  
  • Be wary of health products that promise or deliver quick and miraculous weight loss, or carry exaggerated claims such as ‘100% safe’ and ‘no side effects’.
  • Do not trust online product reviews, as these testimonials usually cannot be verified. If they seem too good to be true, they usually are.
  • Exercise caution when purchasing health products online, especially from unfamiliar websites. Anyone can be a seller on these e-commerce platforms. You cannot be certain where and how these products were made. They could potentially be counterfeits or adulterated with undeclared potent or banned ingredients which can seriously harm your health.

5    HSA has produced a short video on the risks associated with buying health products online. This video can be viewed at https://youtu.be/dmjl_bSqJgA.

Advisory to sellers and suppliers

6    All sellers and suppliers must stop selling ‘Body Slim Herbal’ and ‘Sparkle Twins’ immediately.

  • These are illegal products which contain banned substances.
  • Anyone who supplies illegal health products is liable to prosecution and if convicted, may be imprisoned for up to 3 years and/or fined up to $100,000.

7    Members of the public who have any information on the sale and supply of these illegal products may contact HSA's Enforcement Branch at Tel: 6866-3485 during office hours (Monday to Friday) or email: hsa_is@hsa.gov.sg.

HEALTH SCIENCES AUTHORITY
SINGAPORE
16 AUG 2018

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