Acai berry has been widely promoted for its anti-ageing and weight loss properties. But it has been found that they contain sibutramine which is an oral anorexiant used to treat obesity. Traces of the chemical were found following a clinical testing by the ministry’s pharmaceutical enforcement division.
Sibutramine increases blood pressure and pulse for certain people. This is risky especially for those suffering from coronory artery disease, congestive heart failure, arritmia or stroke.
Sibutramine was previously approved for anti-obesity but was banned by the drugs control authority on 23 December 2012. It was ban because of its toxicology effect which claimed several lives.
Apparently, the product is not even registered with the Health Ministry. At the moment, three acai berry products have been identified and confirmed, to contain the chemical mentioned above; ABC Acai Berry Soft Gel, Acai Berry Dietary Supplement and Acai Berry Slimming Herbal.
There are also five other products that were smuggled into the country illegally, and are also not registered with the health ministry; Acai 1000mg Soft Gel, Acai Berry Detox, Acai Berry Extreme, Acai Berry Pure and Acai Supreme Plus.
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