Potentially dangerous component in a dietary supplement

Evira has been alerted by the RASFF (Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed) that a dietary supplement containing 1,3-Dimethylamylamine (DMAA) has been imported to Finland. DMAA is a central nervous system stimulant related to amphetamine, and the safety of DMAA for human consumption has not been affirmed. Several serious side effects to the heart (Salinger et al. 2011) and brain (Gee et al. 2010) have been reported, particularly when combined with caffeine, thus demonstrating the serious health hazards DMAA can pose. Risk assessment by the Danish and Swedish Food Safety Authorities has concluded that DMAA is not appropriate for human consumption due to its associated health risks. The American Food and Drug Administration in the USA has also issued a warning concerning dietary supplements containing DMAA and restricted its use.

At least one product containing DMAA has been imported to Finland, namely Jack3D, a product expressly targeted at bodybuilders. Three importers of this product are known to Evira: I & P Service Oy/ PPS-Shop/ ipsport in Espoo, Mass Nutrition in Haukipudas, and Fitnesstukku.fi in Helsinki. It is likely that the product is also for sale or has been sold at other retail locations or online through other importers. The importing companies mentioned above have withdrawn the product in question from the market and have contacted customers who have purchased the product online directly, when possible. The product is to be destroyed or returned to the manufacturer.

For the most part, the product has been sold online throughout Finland via Internet retailers. Some items have also been sold at retail locations of the importing companies. The product is available in different flavours, all of which are being withdrawn from the market.

Evira is aware that additional dietary supplements containing 1,3-Dimethylamylamine (DMAA) are available for sale in Finland under other brand names. This withdrawal will eventually be extended to these products as well.

At Evira the matter is handled by:
Senior Officer Anna Mizahri, tel. +358 (0) 50 434 2203 anna.mizrahi@evira.fi

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