Officials issue warning on Total Body Formula supplements

03/28/08 © Florida Health News
 TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Health (DOH) has joined federal officials in investigating an outbreak of suspected selenium poisoning associated with use of a nutritional supplement sold as Total Body Formula. To date, 27 cases have been identified in Calhoun, Gulf, Lake and Washington counties, according to a department advisory issued Friday.

The DOH advisory said the products may cause severe adverse reactions, including nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, joint pain and fatigue. These symptoms can be followed by hair loss, nail brittleness and neurological abnormalities (such as numbness and other odd sensations in the hands, arms, legs or feet).

Total Body Essential Nutrition of Atlanta 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, DOH officials said. The liquid supplement is sold in eight-ounce and 32-ounce plastic bottles. The Total Body Mega Formula is sold in 32-ounce plastic bottles.   According to the distributor’s website, Total Body Formula is a “powerful combination of vitamins, colloidal minerals, amino acids, essential fatty acids and antioxidants scientifically designed … to meet today's nutritional requirements for maintaining energy and sustaining health.” The website says the product may be used for both adults and children.

The FDA is 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. Selenium, a trace mineral, is needed only in small amounts for good health.

Since the Florida cases were reported, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it has learned of and is investigating reports that some individuals in Tennessee using the same products have experienced similar reactions. The products have also been distributed in Alabama, California, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia.

DOH and the FDA advise consumers in Florida to avoid using the products immediately and to discard the bottles by placing them in a trash receptacle. Consumers who have been taking the products and have experienced adverse reactions should consult their health care professional or their local Poison Control Center at 1 800-222-1222 for medical advice.

For more information, consumers can call the FDA's toll-free Food Safety Hotline at 1-888-SAFEFOOD. All suspected cases of selenium poisoning should be reported to a local county health department.