Public warned vs ‘fat burner’
Beware of slimming underwear products that claim to detoxify the body and burn fat.
Kenneth Hartigan Go, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) acting director general, recently warned consumers against buying Onami slimming underwear that are advertised in print and online.
Based on ads, these products reportedly detoxify and burn fat, strengthen the immune system, boost metabolism, increase mental alertness, reduce fatigue and stress, reduce aches and pains and prevent body odors.
Go, however, said there were no clinical or scientific studies to back the therapeutic claims, adding that the slimming underwear was not registered with the FDA.
The FDA regulates all devices that have therapeutic or health claims.
This means that manufacturers or distributors of such products need to apply for a License to Operate as a manufacturer or distributor with the government agency.
“These products need to be registered with the FDA to ensure that they meet safety, efficacy and quality standards,” Go said.
“Only health products that meet the FDA standards are issued the Certificate of Product Registration. Only health products that are FDA-registered may be offered for sale or use and advertised, among other promotional and marketing activities,” he added.
Go instructed manufacturers and distributors of Onami products to remove these from the market as he also asked mall owners and outlets not to sell these in their establishments.
Food and drug regulation officers in the field were also directed to seize the slimming underwear and investigate the manufacturer or distributor.
According to the FDA official, “peddlers and advertisers claim that the ‘black tourmaline’ embedded in the underwear ‘generates a weak electric current when heated or [when the right amount of] pressure is applied.’”
“They also claim that tourmaline produces ‘far infrared rays’ and ‘converts moisture in the air to negative ions,’” he said, adding that the semiprecious gemstone was being advertised as being capable of delivering several health benefits although there were no studies to back these up.
