A warning to supplement users: A Texas-based company is pulling several of its weight loss products from shelves after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) discovered a potentially deadly ingredient in product samples.
On December 13, the FDA and the company Motivate Me Ashley announced the recall out of 11 products sold under the name VidaSlim online — including to consumers in Canada — and directly through distributors.
The recall follows FDA testing, which detected yellow oleander in product samples, raising concerns that other batches could also be affected.
Yellow oleander is a poisonous plant native to Mexico and Central America.
The FDA issued a warning as part of a ongoing investigation in products sold as tejocote root – also known as Crataegus mexicana, Raiz de Tejocote or Mexican hawthorn – which contain yellow oleander instead.
Tejocote root is a traditional remedy used for digestion, weight management, blood pressure and inflammation. However, FDA testing found that some products labeled as tejocote root or Brazil seeds were adulterated and contained toxic yellow oleander, posing a significant public health concern.
According to the FDA, consumption of yellow oleander may cause serious or even fatal neurological, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular effects.
Receive weekly health news
Receive the latest medical news and health information every Sunday.
Reported symptoms include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, diarrhea, abdominal pain, heart irregularities and arrhythmias.
Affected supplements include:
- VidaSlim 90 days (Original Root, Root Plus and Root capsules)
- VidaSlim 30 days (Original Root, Root Plus and Root capsules)
- VidaSlim 7-day sample size (Original Root, Root Plus and Root capsules)
- VidaSlim Hot Body Brew (Strawberry and Peach flavors)
Consumers who purchased the VidaSlim products listed above with expiration dates between December 2024 and December 2025 are urged to stop using them and return them to the place of purchase to exchange for a product of equal value (proof purchase required).
No illnesses related to this recall have been reported, the FDA said.
For a more detailed list of affected products, visit the FDA website.