FDA to Delay Decision on Supplements

The Food and Drug Administration said it is reassessing possible restrictions on ephedra dietary supplements.

The FDA says it has received more than 140 reports of “adverse events” over the last three years that may be related to the supplements, which contain ephedrine alkaloids from the ephedra, or “ma huang” plant. The supplements are often taken in efforts to increase energy levels or lose weight.

Companies that make supplements that contain the substance include Herbalife International Inc., Weider Nutrition International Inc. and Twinlab Corp. The industry contends that the reactions, which ranged from minor to fatal, weren’t related to consumption of products containing ephedrine.

The FDA decided to withdraw the proposed restrictions after a report by the General Accounting Office concluded that additional evidence was needed before reaching a decision.