The Skinny Bee Diet supplement is marketed as a weight loss dietary aid. The product comes in a white bottle. The recalled product is in the form of pills (500 mg), which are colored red. The pills of concern are coded MFD: 03.07.2016, EXP: 03.06.2018. The pills were sold over the Internet (via a website called ‘Lovemytrubody’, direct to consumers.
The recall notice is aimed at consumers in the U.S., although the FDA information may be applicable to people in other countries. The reason for the recall followed testing at an official FDA laboratory that found the Skinny Bee Diet pills to contain the following unlisted ingredients: sibutramine, desmethylsibutramine and phenolphthalein.
Sibutramine is an appetite suppressant (an oral anorexiant) and one that was withdrawn from the U.S. market in October 2010 (the product was developed by the British pharmaceutical company Boots in 1988). Many other territories around the world have also prohibited its use.
Desmethylsibutramine is an active metabolite of sibutramine. These types of products function to increase blood pressure and the pulse rate to a high level. For some people, this can present a significant risk, especially for people with a history of coronary artery disease or congestive heart failure. There are also concerns for those at risk from stroke.
With the third undeclared ingredient, phenolpthalein, this active substance was once used in over-the-counter laxatives. However, the chemical was withdrawn from use due to concerns about its potential carcinogenicity. The chemical is banned from use in products sold within the U.S.
The overall FDA concern is that, with these ingredients, the diet pills do not have any supporting safety or efficacy data. The FDA has advised any person who possesses the pills to discard them. Those who have taken the pills and who have experienced any side effects should notify their medical doctor and the FDA, via the MedWatch service.
