FDA issues warning for certain tejocote root supplements

FDA tejocote root warning overview: 

• Who: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned consumers to not ingest certain tejocote root-labeled supplements. 
• Why: The agency said testing determined the products actually contained toxic yellow oleander, a poisonous plant native to Mexico and Central America. 
• Where: The FDA warning was directed at consumers nationwide. 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a warning to consumers earlier this month about ingesting certain dietary supplements labeled as tejocote root, after testing determined they are actually toxic yellow oleander. 

The FDA said it is concerned the tejocote root products — which were sold on Amazon.com and other websites —  were substituted with toxic yellow oleander, a poisonous plant native to Mexico and Central America. 

Nine tejocote root supplement products were found to contain yellow oleander, according to the FDA: Alipotec Tejocote Root, Nutraholics ELV Tejocote Root, ELV Nutraholics Mexican Tejocote Root, ELVPOTEC Tejocote Root, Science of Alpha Mexican Tejocote Root, Niwali Raiz de Tejocote, Alipotec Tejocote Root, Tejocotex and ELV Alipotec Raiz de Tejocote. 

FDA advises consumers to stop using tejocote root supplements found to contain yellow oleander

The FDA is advising consumers to stop using the aforementioned tejocote root products and to immediately contact their health care provider in the event they have already ingested them. 

Ingestion of yellow oleander can cause a number of adverse health effects, including neurologic, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular issues that can be severe or potentially fatal, according to the FDA. 

The FDA’s advisory comes in the wake of a September 2023 report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that revealed several tejocote root products were found to have been substituted with yellow oleander. 

Dietary supplement manufacturer Botanical-Be recalled certain Kuka Flex Forte, Artri King and Reumo Flex capsules in October over concerns the capsules contained the unapproved and unlisted non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac. 

Have you purchased a tejocote root product? Let us know in the comments.

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