The U.S. Food and Drug Administration say its testing of Total Body Formula and Total Body Mega Formula has detected hazardous amounts of chromium.
On April 9 the FDA reported the dietary supplement products contained hazardous amounts of selenium. Officials said additional testing found high levels of chromium as well. The FDA said samples contained up to 3,426 micrograms of chromium for the recommended serving -- 17 times the recommended intake.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the number of confirmed cases of adverse reactions in consumers using the products has climbed to at least 195 individuals in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.
The FDA cautioned consumers March 27 not to purchase and to discontinue the use of "Total Body Formula" in tropical orange and peach nectar flavors and "Total Body Mega Formula" in the orange/tangerine flavor because of reports of adverse reactions.
Agency officials said they are trying to determine how excessive amounts of selenium and chromium got into the products that are distributed by Total Body Essential Nutrition of Atlanta.
Copyright 2008 by United Press International
