Abu Dhabi: The Municipality of Abu Dhabi City (ADM) has withdrawn a product known as Max Slim after being alerted that the product consists of harmful chemical substances that result in increased blood pressure and heartbeat rates.
The reaction can be particularly harmful for patients with heart disease.
After a laboratory test conducted by the UAE Ministry of Health (MoH) it was found that product Max Slim, contains a substance known as Sibutramine, which is part of the composition of two products, Natural Max Slimming Capsules and Seven Slim.
Both products are known to cause an increase in blood pressure and/or pulse rate.
Max Slim, which is being marked locally and sold at various herbal medical outlets, was immediately withdrawn from shelves by the ADM who received a warning letter regarding the dangers concerned with the product from the MoH and the Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD).
According to a statement sent by the ADM yesterday, Sibutramine is already banned in the UAE due to its serious side effects; however, the substance itself is not mentioned in the product label, rendering it an adulterated product.
Khalifa Al Matroushi, Director of Public Health, said the Municipality has initiated the required action once it was confirmed that the reports of the concerned bodies have proved that the product is harmful to the safety of the community and the public health.
Al Matroushi added that such course of action underlined the concern of the Municipality as well as the concerned bodies for the safety and health of the community, and paid tribute to the cooperation and coordination between the Municipality and the authorities concerned.
In the past, the ADM has withdrawn another product known as Zein Al Atat from the market, again after receiving directions from HAAD, who found banned chemicals that can trigger serious health problems in their laboratory tests.
