UK warns against another USPLabs pre-workout supplement

12-Nov-2013 - Last updated on 12-Nov-2013 at 12:54 GMT

Related tags World anti-doping agency

UK FSA on aegeline-containing products: "Investigations are ongoing.”

The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has warned consumers off VERSA-1, the second pre-workout sports supplement made by Texas-based manufacturer USPLabs containing the disputed ingredient, aegeline.

Aegeline has been linked to a recent break out of non-viral hepatitis in Hawaii and last week USPLabs issued a complete recall of the product in question, OxyElite Pro, which has drawn censure by the FSA along with agencies in the US, Australia, New Zealand, Spain and Denmark.

“Although VERSA-1 has not been associated with hepatitis, both supplements contain the unapproved novel ingredient aegeline,” the FSA said, although it noted that no cases of illness had been reported in theUK.

“The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has advised consumers to avoid both OxyElite Pro and VERSA-1 on a precautionary basis as aegeline cannot be excluded as a cause of hepatitis. Investigations are ongoing.”

Both products are predominantly sold via internet retailers inEurope.

The Hawaiian outbreak saw 56 cases of acute liver damage including one death and two liver transplants

Quarantine

The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) joined the FSA last month in warning against Oxy Eilte Pro. Nimo Ahmed, the MHRA’s Head of Intelligence for Enforcement said: “OxyElite Pro is a potentially dangerous sports supplement and people should not use it. We have asked retailers to quarantine any available stock while the regulatory authorities investigate further. If people have questions or if they are worried that they have used this supplement they should contact their GP or another healthcare professional.”

In the elite sports arena, UK Anti Doping chief executive Andy Parkinson welcomed the action, “to protect the health of anyone considering using these supplements.”

“UKAD is committed to educating athletes on the potential risks associated with sports supplements. We remind those who use supplements of the need to choose reputable manufacturers who can justify their claims with scientific evidence, and screen products to minimise the risk of a user testing positive for a substance on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) Prohibited List.”