Total Body Formula Dietary Supplement Recall Raises Concerns in Kentucky

April 09, 2008 -- Following a federal recall of two dietary supplements, the Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) has issued a health advisory for consumers who may have ingested the products and could be at risk for illness.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday reported that two products of the Total Body Formula dietary supplement line have been recalled due to health concerns: Total Body Formula in the flavors of Tropical Orange and Peach Nectar and Total Body Mega Formula in Orange/Tangerine flavor.

The Total Body Formula products are sold in 8-ounce and 32-ounce plastic bottles. The Total Body Mega Formula is sold in 32-ounce plastic bottles. Both products are distributed by Total Body Essential Nutrition of Atlanta. The company is the sole distributor of the products and has voluntarily recalled them.

“This product may cause symptoms such as significant hair loss, muscle cramps, diarrhea, joint pain and fatigue,” said Kraig Humbaugh, M.D., state epidemiologist with DPH. “It is important that anyone experiencing these symptoms following ingestion of the product seek medical care.”
Additionally, those affected are advised to notify the state or local health department.

In addition to Kentucky, other states where the products were sold include: Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.

“The state and local health department environmental health professionals will monitor for the supplements during routine inspections of regulated establishments,” said Guy Delius, acting director of the division of public health protection and safety in DPH. “We wanted to quickly get the word out to our citizens as soon as possible to prevent any possible illnesses.”

The Florida Department of Health recently provided reports to the FDA on 23 individuals who experienced serious reactions to these products seven to 10 days after ingestion. In all cases, the reactions included significant hair loss, muscle cramps, diarrhea, joint pain and fatigue. The FDA subsequently learned about and is investigating a report that some individuals in Tennessee using the same products have experienced similar reactions.

The FDA is advising consumers in all states to avoid using the products immediately and to discard the products by placing them in a trash receptacle outside of the home.

Consumers and health care professionals can report adverse events to the FDA's MedWatch program at (800) FDA-1088 or online at www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm.

For more information, consumers can call the FDA's toll-free Food Safety Hotline at 1-888-SAFEFOOD.

Source: Kentucky Governor

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