Warning Consumers about "Total Body Formula" and "Total Body Mega Formula"

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the American counterpart to the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), is advising consumers not to purchase or consume Total Body Formula in the flavors of Tropical Orange and Peach Nectar, or Total Body Mega Formula in the Orange/Tangerine flavor. The liquid dietary supplement products may cause severe adverse reactions, including significant hair loss, muscle cramps, diarrhea, joint pain and fatigue.

The Total Body Formula products are sold in eight-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 Total Body Formula in the flavors of Tropical Orange and Peach Nectar and Total Body Mega Formula in Orange/Tangerine flavor.

There is a recent reports provided to 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.

FDA laboratories are analyzing samples of the products to identify the cause of the reactions, including the possibility that the products contain excessive amounts of selenium, which is known to cause symptoms such as those described in the adverse events reported to the agency. Selenium, a trace mineral, is needed only in small amounts for good health.

General Recommendations:
The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) is advising consumers to avoid using the products immediately and to discard the products by placing them in a trash receptacle outside of the home. In fact, both of these products are not officially registered or marketed in Saudi Arabia. So, it might be brought from outside the country by frequent traveler for their personal use or buy it via internet.

REPORT ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS TO THE SFDA :
The public and health professionals are encouraged to report adverse drug reactions online to the National Pharmacovigilance center on the following link: