The Ministry of Health of the Government of the Canary Islands recommends that the population take precautions when consuming products of the brand "Herbalife", after receiving this Monday a communication from the Ministry of Health and Consumption in which some cases of liver toxicity (that is, liver ailments with various manifestations) are mentioned, presumably associated with the consumption of products of that brand.
The Ministry of Health and Consumption has been aware of the existence of some cases of liver toxicity (that is, liver ailments with various manifestations), presumably associated with the consumption of products from the company Herbalife Internacional España, SL. In Spain, 9 suspected cases have been registered between 2003 and 2007, while in EU countries there have been 15 more cases.
Herbalife markets in Spain, and in many other countries, various products with the qualification of dietary, food supplements and food, as the case may be, to which it attributes benefits for weight loss and improving the general well-being of the consumer.
According to community legislation, some dietary products require registration but not prior authorization. Other dietary products and all food supplements only require a notification of the start of marketing in any of the 27 Member States. All products marketed by Herbalife are under the coverage of this legal framework.
Herbalife products are marketed directly at home, without company establishments open to the public, and sometimes the consumers themselves become distributors. This distribution model makes it difficult to trace or track the products, which legally must cover the entire food chain, from the beginning to consumption, as stipulated in article 18 of Regulation 178/2002 of the European Union.
The Regional Pharmacovigilance Center of the Principality of Asturias collected and assessed the first cases of possible liver toxicity linked to these products in Spain. Subsequently, the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) has been informed, by the Spanish Pharmacovigilance System and the Hepatotoxicity Registry of the University of Malaga, of a total of 9 suspected cases between 2003 and 2007.
Likewise, there is news of another 9 cases of hepatotoxicity in other EU countries, registered between 1992 and 2006, and another 6 in Iceland. 22 more have occurred in Switzerland and Israel between 1992 and 2006. However, the Spanish and European food alert networks do not have, so far, notifications of this type.
In these events, the causal relationship is not easy to establish and in some cases this possibility is stronger than in others.
The Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN), which is the health authority that coordinates the alert network when these products are presented on the market as food and not as medicines, and the AEMPS are collaborating in the investigation of these problems. They are also informing all the autonomous communities and cooperate especially with the Community of Madrid, the health authority competent in matters of inspection and sanctions since it is in its territory where the company Herbalife has its registered office.
These suspected cases have been analyzed by the Committee on Safety of Medicines for Human Use (CSMH) and by an ad hoc Working Group of the Scientific Committee of AESAN, which have recommended investigating the situation thoroughly and warning citizens.
AESAN has held several meetings with representatives of Herbalife to obtain all relevant information and documentation. It has also raised the problem in the corresponding committee of the European Union and includes it as information in the European Rapid Alert System for Food and in the INFOSAN global network. Valuable information is expected to be received from European and international cooperation.
From the study of the available documentation and the review of all the data, the involvement of one or more of the products marketed by Herbalife could result, so the investigations continue. The health authorities will promptly communicate the result and consequences of the actions and studies that are being developed.
In these circumstances, it is advisable to inform citizens, in general, about the basic precautions that should be taken when consuming products marketed as food supplements or supplements and similar names, especially if they are marketed through circuits different from conventional food channels.
The advice is as follows:
A varied and balanced diet within the framework of a healthy lifestyle provides all the nutrients necessary for the normal development and maintenance of a healthy organism and generally makes the consumption of products with additional nutrients unnecessary.
Deficiency states (lack of vitamins, minerals?) must be assessed by the doctor, who will establish the corresponding treatment. The same can be said of slimming regimes or the needs to enhance body systems, organic functions or physiological states.
You must follow the consumption instructions and warnings on the labeling and other information provided by the product holder.
Simultaneous consumption of several food supplements or consuming them in excess of what is recommended should be avoided.
If you are taking medications or if you suffer from any disease, you should consult your doctor before starting the consumption of supplements, supplements, or similar products.
The acquisition of these products through alternative channels that do not offer guarantees regarding the origin of the product and the control of its manufacturing process should be avoided.
Buying products over the Internet, regular mail or directly from individuals can be a risk.
If you feel or suspect that a product causes you any harmful effect, contact a doctor. Also inform the health authorities.
The AEMPS has distributed this information to pharmacists and doctors of the health system so that they are prepared for the appearance of any suspected case and to whom you can consult in case of doubt.
ACN Press
