Jury Orders Metabolife to Pay $7.46 Million
From Reuters
A Texas jury awarded $7.46 million to a woman who suffered a stroke after taking a dietary supplement made by Metabolife International Inc.
The Houston jury found that San Diego-based Metabolife was responsible for the stroke that 35-year-old Rhea McAllister suffered in 2002 after taking Metabolife 356, a supplement containing ephedra.
Ephedra was banned by the Food and Drug Administration in December.
Metabolife spokeswoman Jan Strode said studies had repeatedly shown Metabolife’s products were safe, and said the company would appeal.
The verdict is the second in 18 months against Metabolife over supplements containing ephedra, which athletes and other consumers used to boost energy levels and lose weight.
