State Health Department Warns New Yorkers About Harmful Dietary Supplements

ALBANY, N.Y. (August 07, 2013) – The New York State Department of Health (DOH) today announced that consumers should not use or purchase Healthy Life Chemistry By Purity First B-50, Multi-Minerals, or Vitamin C marketed as dietary supplements, due to the possible presence of potentially harmful anabolic steroids.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and DOH have received reports of 29 adverse incidents associated with the use of Healthy Life Chemistry By Purity First B-50. Some of these patients were reported to have also taken Healthy Life Chemistry By Purity First Multi-Mineral and/or Vitamin C. These reports include fatigue, muscle cramping, and muscle pain, as well as abnormal laboratory findings for liver and thyroid function, and cholesterol levels. In addition, according to the FDA, females who used these products reported unusual hair growth and missed menstruation, and males who used the products reported impotence and findings of low testosterone.

The Department of Health issued advisories to the health provider community and is working with providers to help characterize symptoms and make recommendations for management of the health effects of use of the product. DOH is providing its support and cooperation, as needed, to assist the FDA's investigation into this matter.

Preliminary testing by the FDA of the Healthy Life Chemistry By Purity First B-50 product demonstrated the presence of anabolic steroids including methasterone and dimethazine. These ingredients are not listed on the label and should not be in a dietary supplement, the FDA reported. According to Purity First Health Products, Inc, the Multi-Mineral and Vitamin C capsules appear to contain dimethyltestosterone.

Use or consumption of products containing steroids may cause acute liver injury, which is known to be a possible harmful effect of using steroid-containing products. Steroids may cause other serious long-term adverse health consequences in men, women and children.

Purity First Health Products, Inc. is voluntarily recalling two lots of Healthy Life Chemistry B-50 (lot F03Q and C02R), Multi-Mineral (lot 12-829), and all lot numbers for Vitamin C (including lot E03Q). Purity First Health Products, Inc requests that consumers of these products return them to the place of purchase, and contact Purity First with any questions.

"Our first priority is to protect the health and safety of all New Yorkers, and we will provide our full support and cooperation as the FDA continues its investigation," said State Health Commissioner, Nirav R. Shah, M.D., M.P.H.

Consumers should discontinue immediately all use of Healthy Life Chemistry By Purity First B-50, Multi-Minerals, and Vitamin C. Any consumers who have used Healthy Life Chemistry By Purity First B-50, Multi-Minerals, or Vitamin C and experience any of these symptoms should consult a health care professional immediately and report their experience to the FDA.

The FDA asks consumers to report any adverse reactions to the FDA's MedWatch program either by completing and submitting the report online at www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm; or Downloading and completing the form, then submitting it via fax at 1-800-FDA-0178.