FDA wades into diet pill extract fuss

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has insisted extracts of mucuna pruriens, commonly known as velvet beans or "ma mui", are banned ingredients in dietary supplements.

The FDA deputy secretary-general Paisarn Dunkhum said yesterday, however, that mucuna pruriens seeds can still be used as traditional medicine to promote positive feelings and improve sex drive.

Mucuna pruriens has been used for centuries in Indian herbal medicine as a healing plant for many ailments. But it is illegal in some countries including Thailand to be used as part of dietary supplements.

The move came after a 21-year-old Trang woman died on June 11 after developing an allergy to mucuna pruriens extracts in a dietary supplement called "Reset" which she had taken.

Dr Paisarn said mucuna pruriens have L-dopa which is a known precursor for dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the brain that plays an integral role in controlling the body's movements and blood pressure.

He said a team of local health officials who had inspected the scene and interviewed the victim's mother told him the victim was a direct sales woman for the "Reset" dietary supplement.

The product was distributed by The Best International Co Ltd. Checks found the supplement claimed to be FDA-approved, Dr Paisarn said, adding an application number, apparently showing it had passed the approved process, was found in the product leaflet.

The product claimed to have the ability to lower body fat, remove toxicity from the body naturally and boost libido, he said.

Authorities carried out a raid on a company in Bung Kum district of Bangkok believed to be a distribution centre for the product.

Dr Paisarn said the raid found a product in a silver box containing capsules in blister packs which were similar to those the victim had consumed.

The product was sent to the Department of Medical Sciences for an examination.

Source: FDA wades into diet pill extract fuss