The Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Products (AEMPS) issued a notice on September 2nd, ordering the immediate cessation of sales and a full recall of 22 weight loss products marketed as “dietary supplements”. This action follows an investigation by Spain’s National Police, dubbed “Operation Triki”, which uncovered the illegal distribution of these products, leading to official testing that revealed serious hidden health risks.
Official Tests: All Contain Banned Sibutramine
According to analysis by AEMPS’s Official Medicines Control Laboratory (LOCM), all 22 named products contain sibutramine. This is a pharmacologically active ingredient that aids weight loss by suppressing appetite and increasing satiety. However, studies have confirmed that sibutramine significantly increases the risk of elevated heart rate and blood pressure, arrhythmia, ischemic heart disease, and even severe cerebrovascular events. Due to these serious cardiovascular safety concerns, medicines containing sibutramine have been suspended from sale and use throughout the European Union for many years.
More deceptively, the packaging of these products does not declare the presence of sibutramine. Many are even marketed as “all-natural”, leading consumers to unknowingly ingest potentially dangerous drug ingredients.
Adding to the Danger: 7 Products Contain Risky Laxative
In further testing of this batch, AEMPS discovered that seven of the products contained another dangerous substance in addition to sibutramine: phenolphthalein. Phenolphthalein is a stimulant laxative that works by irritating the intestinal tract and affecting water and electrolyte balance. Long-term or excessive use can lead to severe loss of fluids and minerals, causing dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and intestinal dysfunction.
The 7 products containing phenolphthalein are: Fatzorb, AB Slim, Get Lean, Slimina, Burn and Slim, Body Slim, and Black Panther.
Legal Status and Recall List
AEMPS stated clearly in its announcement that because these products contain undeclared pharmacologically active substances, they legally qualify as “medicines”. However, these products have never undergone the agency’s evaluation and authorization process, meaning their safety, efficacy, and quality cannot be guaranteed, classifying them as illegal drugs. Consequently, authorities have ordered their complete removal from all sales channels.
The complete list of the 22 products banned from sale and recalled is as follows:
- Slim U
- Slim U Pro
- P57 Hoodia
- Bikini Siluet Perfect
- Slim 24
- 14 Día
- Fatzorb
- AB Slim
- Get Lean
- Slimina
- Burn and Slim
- Body Slim
- Black Panther
- Aphrodite Thermoslim Coffe
- Aphrodite Plus
- Aphrodite LipoDetox
- Aphrodite Green Plus
- Aphrodite Forte Plus
- Aphrodite Forte
- Li Da Ultra
- Pineapple Slimming Peptide
- Pezo Mega
AEMPS strongly advises all consumers who possess or are using any of the aforementioned products to stop immediately and consult a healthcare professional about their health status.
