FDA warns over 'unlawful' diet products

[webfact]

'Unlawful' diet products
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said "Fuco" diet supplements, including Fuco Pure and Fuco Burn, that are sold online violated the law for being extravagantly advertised and none of the brand's products have FDA approval.

FDA deputy chief Dr Paisarn Dunkum said, following complaints, FDA and police arrested a suspect last Thursday with Fuco products worth Bt300,000. He was charged with selling food supplements with fake labels that were not approved by the FDA (punishable with a fine up to Bt30,000) and for advertising food supplements without permission (punishable with a fine up to Bt5,000).

Paisan also warned that some pickled garlic and lime products have fake food product registration numbers (with the FDA approval mark). When added to a large amount of acetic acid, they could cause stomach irritation and severe ulcers. He cited the recent seizure of such products worth Bt500,000 from a Bangkok Phasi Charoen district warehouse.

"You can't just read the labels, as they might be fake. You should check the food product registration number, which you can then check with the FDA website (www.fda.moph.go.th)," he said.


-- The Nation 2014-06-17

[ThaiRich]

Yep, this is big money. With the amount of obese people increasing rapidly there is money to be made. The biggest reason these companies can make such big money and sell fake products is everyone is looking for that "pill" that is gonna make them thin. Well, it doesn't work that way, the only way to get thin and healthy is eating a proper diet and exercise. I know. I"ve lost 53kg in 5 months. I actually overhead a sales person telling an over weight person that they could just take these pills 2 times a day and loose weight. They didn't have to exercise or change what they ate. Lie to everyone and make as much money as you can.

Edited June 17, 2014 by ThaiRich

[jaltsc]

"You should check the food product registration number, which you can then check with the FDA website (www.fda.moph.go.th)," he said."

If it's advertised on TV or in print, that is good enough for most consumers in just about any part of the world. If the FDA was truly serious about fake and dangerous products, they would list them and post them on the door of every retail outlet. Putting the burden on the consumer is useless.

There are so many baseless claims for weight reduction on TV. In Thailand there is what I call the "Earthquake Machine". It shows an overweight lady on this machine that just shakes, and miraculously she is transformed into a fashion model. The best one I've seen was in Cambodia. They are actually selling what appears to be a rack straight out of the Spanish Inquisition. It shows a person being hooked up by the ankles and under her chin and being stretched. She winds up 3 inches taller and a lot slimmer than before.

It's amazing that anyone would fall for most of this stuff. Obviously the FDA and other governmental agencies are powerless to have any meaningful affect in stopping these frauds. That being said, as long as someone advertises body transformations with no effort on part of the individual, people will buy these products in search for a miracle.

Edited June 17, 2014 by jaltsc

[KhunAussie52]

Yep, this is big money. With the amount of obese people increasing rapidly there is money to be made. The biggest reason these companies can make such big money and sell fake products is everyone is looking for that "pill" that is gonna make them thin. Well, it doesn't work that way, the only way to get thin and healthy is eating a proper diet and exercise. I know. I"ve lost 53kg in 5 months. I actually overhead a sales person telling an over weight person that they could just take these pills 2 times a day and loose weight. They didn't have to exercise or change what they ate. Lie to everyone and make as much money as you can.

Congratulations!!!!!

Well done.

Edited June 17, 2014 by KhunAussie52

[UbonRatch]

"Paisan also warned that some pickled garlic and lime products have fake food product registration numbers (with the FDA approval mark). When added to a large amount of acetic acid, they could cause stomach irritation and severe ulcers."

What's for dinner, love?

"Pickled garlic and lots of acetic acid, honey."

[krystian]

Yep, this is big money. With the amount of obese people increasing rapidly there is money to be made. The biggest reason these companies can make such big money and sell fake products is everyone is looking for that "pill" that is gonna make them thin. Well, it doesn't work that way, the only way to get thin and healthy is eating a proper diet and exercise. I know. I"ve lost 53kg in 5 months. I actually overhead a sales person telling an over weight person that they could just take these pills 2 times a day and loose weight. They didn't have to exercise or change what they ate. Lie to everyone and make as much money as you can.

yup exercise, right food and self discipline would get you there! congrats!!

[cooked]

Illegal Cambodian coffee products containing Amphetamines are quite popular in Thailand. Amphetamine was originally sold as a slimming product as it stills hunger. They work.

[Pib]

So many programs/infomericals on Thai satellite TV stations selling weight reduction, health supplements, etc. It's snake oil selling gone wild.

[Soutpeel]

Shouldn't the dear FDA doctor go back to medical school ? Hasn't it been conclusively proven that ulcers are caused by bacteria in the gut, and the acid in your stomach is far more concentrated than acetic acid (vinegar) anyway ?

[MMarlow]

Shouldn't the dear FDA doctor go back to medical school ? Hasn't it been conclusively proven that ulcers are caused by bacteria in the gut, and the acid in your stomach is far more concentrated than acetic acid (vinegar) anyway ?

Not necessarily, there are other causes of ulcers in addition to bacteria.

[Shamrock 1234]

Best way to lose weight is to cut back on sugar and carbohydrates ( starchey ones at that!) and introduce an exercise programme.

[belg]

on some sattelite channels, they sell erectile cream all day long and other stuff, are those FDA approved?

[Thai at Heart]

Shouldn't the dear FDA doctor go back to medical school ? Hasn't it been conclusively proven that ulcers are caused by bacteria in the gut, and the acid in your stomach is far more concentrated than acetic acid (vinegar) anyway ?

Not necessarily, there are other causes of ulcers in addition to bacteria.

But banning a pickled substance because it has vinegar seems a little harsh.

[Mirkwood]

All joking aside. The diet tablets and products for sale in Thailand. Might not be approved by my god they work.

I took 1 pill a day for 3 weeks and lost 5kgs.

Long may they continue to be sold here.