Illegal weight-loss product led to woman's severe heart failure, says HSA
SINGAPORE — The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has issued a warning to the public not to consume four products that have caused “serious adverse reactions” in consumers.
These illegal products – “BB Body”, “Bello Smaze”, “Choco Fit” and “Seahorse Chop Du Zhong Ba Ji Wan” – were found to contain potent medicinal ingredients, including “a banned substance for weight loss and a potent steroid”, said the authority in a press release on Monday (3 June).
Products caused heart failure, suicidal thoughts
In one case, a woman in her 50s who consumed BB Body for about three months developed an extremely fast heart rate, also known as ventricular tachycardia, which led to her losing consciousness. She required resuscitation to save her life.
The woman, who bought the product from an online seller in Malaysia, now suffers from severe heart failure and has been implanted with a defibrillator. She also requires long-term heart failure medications, said the HSA.
Separately, a woman in her 20s who took Bello Smaze for four days began suffering palpitations and insomnia – and later developed suicidal thoughts. She had bought the product from a local seller to lose weight.
According to the woman, a friend of hers who also took Bello Smaze also developed palpitations and insomnia.
Another woman in her 30s found herself experiencing palpitations after taking Choco Fit for two days.
“The adverse reactions experienced by these consumers were consistent with the effects from sibutramine, which was found in the three products,” said the HSA.
It added that sibutramine had once been a prescription drug but was banned in 2010 due to an “increased risk of heart attacks and strokes, as well as other serious adverse effects”.
“Do not fall for claims or promises of quick weight loss when purchasing health products, whether they are sold online or in retail shops,” said Associate Professor Chan Cheng Leng, who heads the HSA’s Health Products Regulations Group.
“Based on HSA’s enforcement operations, many of the weight loss Page 3 of 9 products sold on e-commerce platforms without an established retail presence were found to contain the banned substance, sibutramine.”
Steroid in product caused Cushing’s syndrome
The fourth product listed by the HSA, Seahorse Chop Du Zhong Ba Ji Wan, was reported to have caused Cushing’s syndrome in a man who is in his 40s. He had taken the product, which he bought from a medicinal hall in Johor, for more than two months to relieve his arthritis.
“His condition, characterised by ‘moon’ face, thin limbs, thinning of the skin and easy bruising was caused by dexamethasone, a potent steroid that was fraudulently added into the product,” said the HSA.
“Tests by HSA also found that the product contained chlorpheniramine (an antihistamine for allergic reactions).”
In another sign of an illegal product, the HSA found that the blister strips in one box carried a different product name – “100% Natural Pure Herbal * Acti Fast”. Tests conducted on the product found that it contained frusemide, a potent medicine for removing excess water in the body.
Advice to consumers
The HSA has advised consumers to stop taking Bello Smaze, BB Body or Choco Fit, and to seek medical attention if they feel unwell.
Those who have consumed Seahorse Chop Du Zhong Ba Ji Wan are advised to to see a doctor as soon as possible. This is because the product contains a potent steroid and consumers may require medical supervision to be weaned off it.
Consumers are also advised to be wary of products that promise or deliver quick and miraculous effects, or carry exaggerated claims.
For instance, in the case of Bello Smaze, BB Body or Choco Fit, the HSA noted that these products were marketed on e-commerce and social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram. The authority added that the products promised no side-effects and claimed to be able to cause weight loss “within days”.
Reiterating that all four products are illegal in Singapore, the HSA said that the administrators of the local sites selling the products have been told to remove them from their listings.
Those caught dealing in the aforementioned products face a jail term of up to three years, along with a possible fine of up to $100,000, if convicted.
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