Warning on supplement users: A Texas-based company is pulling several of its weight-loss products from shelves after the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) discovered a potentially deadly ingredient in product samples.

Dec 13 FDA and company Motivate Me Ashley announced the recall of 11 products sold under that name VidaSlim online — including consumers in Canada — and directly through distributors.

The recall followed FDA testing, which revealed yellow oleander in product samples, raising concerns that other batches may also be affected.

Yellow oleander is a poisonous plant native to Mexico and Central America.

The FDA has issued a warning as part of investigation underway into products marketed as tejocote root – also known as Crataegus mexicana, Raiz de Tejocote or Mexican hawthorn – which were found to contain yellow oleander instead.

Tejocote root is a traditional medicine used for digestion, weight control, blood pressure and inflammation. However, FDA testing revealed that certain products labeled as tejocota root or Brazilian seed were adulterated and contained toxic yellow oleander, a significant public health concern.

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According to the FDA, consumption of yellow oleander can lead to serious or even fatal neurological, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular effects.

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Reported symptoms include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, diarrhea, abdominal pain, cardiac irregularities, and arrhythmia.

Affected plugins include:

• VidaSlim 90 days (Original root, Root Plus and Root capsules)
• VidaSlim 30 days (Original Root, Root Plus and Root capsules)
• VidaSlim 7-Day Sample Size (Original Root, Root Plus and Root Capsules)
• VidaSlim Hot Body Brew (strawberry and peach flavors)

Consumers who purchased the above VidaSlim products with an expiration date between December 2024 and December 2025 are encouraged to stop using them and return them to the place of purchase for an exchange for a product of equal value (proof of purchase required).

There were no reported illnesses associated with this recall, the FDA said.

For a more detailed list of affected products, visit the FDA website.

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