The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) has issued a new warning about slimming pills sold online that contain harmful and banned substances, including sibutramine, a banned appetite suppressant linked to serious heart problems; sildenafil, a drug for erectile dysfunction not approved for weight loss; and emodin, a laxative that can cause digestive issues and dehydration. The pills have been linked to serious side effects such as nausea, increased heart rate, headaches, and vomiting.
The alert concerns the product My Lisaa, which was available through the online retailer bol.com and promoted on social media platforms. The NVWA has blocked the Instagram account used to sell the pills and halted sales via bol.com.
According to the NVWA, these banned substances pose significant health risks. “Heart palpitations, headaches, nausea, and vomiting are among the reported side effects,” the authority said.
This warning follows previous alerts issued earlier this year about other dangerous slimming products, including DynaPills and Meri-capsules, as well as slimming teas containing sibutramine. In 2016, a young woman died due to heart complications after consuming slimming tea containing the same banned substance.
The NVWA’s investigations have found that many slimming products contain hazardous ingredients not listed on their labels. Research showed that seven out of eleven tested brands contained undeclared substances, increasing the risk to consumers.
The NVWA urges the public to avoid buying slimming pills from unverified online sources and to consult healthcare professionals before using weight loss supplements.