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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an urgent warning for consumers to stop using 29 dietary supplements sold online through Amazon, eBay, Etsy, and other retailers, after tests revealed they contain toxic yellow oleander, not the labeled ingredients. The warning targets products marketed as containing tejocote root (Crataegus mexicana) or Brazil seed.
According to the FDA, yellow oleander (Thevetia peruviana) is a poisonous plant native to Mexico and Central America. Consuming it can cause severe neurological, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular effects, including cardiac arrest, abdominal pain, confusion, vomiting, and diarrhea. Ingesting even small amounts can be fatal, the FDA warned.
Many of the affected supplements are still available for purchase online. Some companies have issued recalls or removed their products, while others have not taken action, so consumers are urged to check their homes for these brands.
A full list of the implicated products is available on the official FDA safety alert page.
The FDA began investigating these supplements after a September 2023 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report found that some products labeled as tejocote root actually contained yellow oleander. Since then, the FDA has continued to test, adding more products to the warning list as needed.
Health officials recommend anyone who has taken these supplements should contact their healthcare provider for evaluation. Those experiencing serious side effects should call 911 or seek emergency care immediately, and individuals can also reach out to their state's poison control center.
The FDA is actively working with third-party platforms to remove the dangerous products and continues its investigation. Consumers are encouraged to stay updated via the FDA’s website for any new warnings or recalls related to these supplements.