An ongoing investigation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revealed numerous “dietary supplements” purchased online contained yellow oleander (Cascabela thevetia), a toxic plant commonly cultivated as an ornamental.
In September 2023, FDA issued a consumer warning about tejocote (Crataegus mexicana) supplements purchased from online retailers such as Amazon and Etsy. Tejocote, also known as Mexican hawthorn, is often marketed as a weight-loss supplement. As of Dec. 3, 2024, FDA tested at least 18 samples, all of which contained yellow oleander.
“FDA analysis has determined that certain products labeled as tejocote root or Brazil seed are adulterated because they were tested and found to be substituted with yellow oleander, a poisonous plant native to Mexico and Central America and a toxic substance of concern to public health officials. In other words, the tested products that were labeled as tejocote or Brazil seed are actually toxic yellow oleander,” FDA said in a statement.
According to Mount Sinai Health System, yellow oleander poisoning can cause symptoms such as arrhythmia, low blood pressure, blurred vision, hives, diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, headache, lethargy, dizziness, depression and death.
“The FDA continues to receive adverse event reports related to the products identified in this Safety Alert. The agency is reminding consumers to avoid these products because they contain toxic yellow oleander and can cause neurologic, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular adverse health effects that may be severe, or even fatal,” FDA said in a statement. “The agency continues to communicate with firms selling these products. While a few have initiated voluntary recalls, the FDA is concerned that products containing toxic yellow oleander remain on the marketplace.”
Motivate Me Ashley, a company based in San Antonio, TX, issued a voluntary recall on 11 of its VidaSlim brand products after FDA’s analysis.
“To date, VidaSlim has not received reports of illnesses related to the consumption of this product. In the interest of safety, this recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration,” VidaSlim said in a statement.
For more information, visit www.fda.gov.
