Sellers back to old ways: FDA seizes steroid-lazed slimming pills in Baguio

By Dexter A. See

BAGUIO CITY — Elements of the Food and Drug Administration here recently seized multi-million pesos worth of alleged steroid-laced slimming pills and mercury-tainted cosmetic products from various establishments in different parts of the city.

But then, unscrupulous sellers are back to their old ways selling the banned items.

Based on a report from the FDA, its operatives confiscated 426 boxes of Zhen De Zhou capsules and 29 boxes of Zhen De Zhou tea from various stalls at the Maharlika Livelihood Complex, Session Road, Mabini Street, Pine Arcade, Baguio Center Mall and on Rajah Soliman Street.

The FDA said seizure of the alleged steroid-laced slimming products is to protect the public from being affected with negative effects of steroids.

The confiscation of the products was in response to a warning issued by the Department of Health based on a laboratory examination that the said products and other cosmetic items are allegedly with high mercury content and that slimming products are steroid-laced.

Zhen De Zhou’s fat loss capsules and tea products are not reportedly registered products with the FDA, the DOH said.

The confiscated products are still in the custody of the FDA in the city, awaiting further instructions from the DOH central office for possible condemnation and disposal so that they will no longer be sold to the public that could compromise their health condition.

Because of the damaging results of the laboratory examination on the Chinese slimming products, the FDA reportedly ordered the manufacturer of Zhen De Zhou fat loss capsules and tea to immediately recall the products from the market.

Health authorities advised people wanting weight loss programs to refrain from using slimming capsules and other chemicals being offered by companies but instead undergo usual regular exercise to burn excess fat in one’s body.