Customers speak to media about health supplements, claim illness

I first wrote about the FDA investigation of an outbreak of suspect selenium poisoning associated with consumption of Total Body Formula in the flavors of Tropical Orange and Peach Nectar, and Total Body Mega Formula in Orange/Tangerine flavor. I did the story in March at Covering Florida—I didn’t count on a lot of interest. But a number of people posted comments about their own experience with this health supplement, and now many of those who used the formula are speaking to media. The FDA published results of analyses in May, announcing the specified products contained hazardous amounts of both selenium and chromium. The ill effects aren’t pleasant—your hair can fall out and your fingernails may become discolored and fall out as well. Gastrointestinal problems are also common.

One of the commenters at my original story is a lawyer in Georgia; he’s filed a suit but says his client is not part of the class action lawsuit.

There’s an excellent section at the National Institutes of Health where you can find great information about supplements. The Georgia lawyer claims the products in question were manufactured in Arkansas, but I haven’t seen any documentation of that by the FDA yet. The FDA says more than 200 people are sick from taking the supplements. I covered the story in March, but mainstream media didn't take much notice at the time.

[Text by Kay B. Day; photo of one product from FDA website.]