Dangerous Ingredients in Bee Pollen Supplements Discovered

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers not to use Zi Xiu Tang Bee Pollen capsules after an investigation has revealed that the products contain undeclared drugs that pose significant threats to cardiovascular health and may even lead to cancer.

According to the FDA report, Zi Xiu Tang Bee Pollen, a supplemental product marketed as a weight loss and "body reshaping" product has been discovered to contain at least two undeclared ingredients that are illegal in the U.S. due to the threat they pose to consumer health.

Sibutramine, which was banned from the U.S. market in 2010 for safety reasons, was found to be a key ingredient in the products. According to the report, this substance is known to "substantially increase blood pressure and/or pulse rate" and can be particularly dangerous to people suffering from pre-existing heart conditions.

Another undeclared ingredient discovered to be consistently present in the products was phenolphtalein, a suspected carcinogen that has never gained federal approval.

According to the release, these ingredients were discovered even in products that claim to be "genuine" versions of the weight-loss supplements. Like with many weight loss pills in the U.S., Zi Xiu Tang Bee Pollen has experienced a counterfeit problem, where rip-off versions of the brand are sold for less and contain questionable and potentially dangerous ingredients.

An investigation was launched looking into the supplements after the FDA received "dozens" of reports of adverse side-effects including "heart palpitations, tachycardia (increased heart rate), suicidal thoughts, chest pain, diarrhea, anxiety, insomnia, increased blood pressure and seizure," according to the report.

Following the investigation, FDA regulators pulled Zi Xiu Tang Bee Pollen products from U.S. shelves. However, officials urge anyone who took these supplements and feels unwell to consult a doctor right away.

This is not the first time these undeclared ingredients have found their way into U.S. consumer's bodies. Last month weight loss pills and supplements produced by New Life Nutritional Center (NLNC) and Pure Edge Nutrition (PEN) LCC were discovered to contain the same two harmful ingredients. According to FDA reports, the companies voluntarily recalled the products after the discovery, claiming that they were unaware of the contamination.

No such cooperation was seen from the producers of Zi Xiu Tang Bee Pollen.

According to the FDA report, and investigation into the distribution of Zi Xiu Tang Bee Pollen is currently underway and regulators may chose to take "enforcement action, such as seizures, injunctions and/or criminal charges."

The public health warning was released by the FDA on April 7 and updated on April 8.