Last Monday, the Interpol released a global warning over a prohibited and potentially toxic diet pill consumed as a body-building aid and for rapid weight loss solution, feared to be culprits behind the untimely demise of six young Britons.
According to a press release by Interpol, a Frenchman was left extremely sick, and one woman died in Britain after ingesting the 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP), an ingredient also used for explosives and as antiseptic. Police in 190 countries were cautioned that the prohibited chemical is a very dangerous risk for unknowing consumers dealing with shadowy online retailers.
Eloise Aimee Parry, 21-year-old British woman, who took eight tablets of DNP, died last April 12 at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital. The student passed away after purchasing the pills online to slim down - despite having a normal weight. Five others from UK have been killed since 2008. Meanwhile, Australian authorities are investigating a French victim who suffered a risky seizure after taking DNP as well.
International illegal marketers, hiding on anonymous websites, offer a fast next-day delivery in plain packaging with free samples at a very affordable price labeled falsely as miracle diet pills.
DNP is an organic compound that appears as a yellowish crystalline powder or capsule but is also offered as a cream like solution. It was famous as a diet aid back in the 1930s but was banned after it was discovered to be potentially carcinogenic and poisonous. These tablets cause the body to overheat, accelerating the body's metabolism and thus burn body fat faster. Unfortunately, side effects include a rapid or irregular heartbeat, dehydration and vomiting. Long-term consumption could possibly cause skin lesions, physical damage to the heart, and cataracts.
Despite its bad reputation, it has gained popularity once again especially among those desperate to reduce weight and bodybuilders. DNP is prohibited to be sold as food supplement, but illegal retailers uses different marketing methods for DNP such as selling it as dye or pesticide, which makes them harder to be traced by Interpol.
In another instance, the sticker printed on the package states: "Health and Beauty Turmeric capsules Extra Strength 125 mg each capsule. Contains 125 mg of Turmeric Powder DO NOT USE IF SEAL IS BROKEN."
"In order to divert the attention of law enforcement agents, the DNP distributors take advantage of the product's resemblance with a spice (yellow powder), to falsely claim that the capsules contained turmeric," the Orange Notice warned [pdf].
Photo: John Linwood | Flickr
