Key takeaways:

• The FDA has expanded a safety alert to include three mislabeled dietary supplements.
• Consumers should avoid certain weight loss products labeled as tejocote root or Brazil seed.

The FDA has expanded a safety alert warning consumers to avoid certain botanical weight loss supplements that contain toxic yellow oleander.

Analysis showed three additional online products labeled as tejocote (Crataegus mexicana) root or Brazil seed instead contained yellow oleander (Thevetia peruviana) — a toxic plant native to Mexico and Central America.

The FDA has expanded a safety alert warning consumers to avoid certain botanical weight loss supplements that contain toxic yellow oleander.

According to the FDA, these products can cause neurologic, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular adverse events that could be severe or fatal.

The agency advises consumers to stop using and dispose of these products. Those who have used any of the products should contact their health care professional immediately.

The CDC published a report in September 2023 after an investigation found that nine of 10 tested products advertised as tejocote root were substituted with yellow oleander. Since then, several products have been added to the safety alert, which now includes a total of 25 products.

Since the report was first published, FDA surveillance has expanded to investigate other dietary supplements.