ABU DHABI // A warning has been issued against herbal products that claim to aid weight loss, increase sexual prowess or offer cosmetic benefits.
The Ministry of Health and Health Authority Abu Dhabi warned that 729 products posed serious health risks.
Dr Amin Al Amiri, assistant undersecretary for public health policy and licensing at the ministry, said that the products, which are often bought online, are not registered in the UAE and are therefore not regulated.
He added that the producers of such products cannot be held liable or prosecuted by the UAE and that the World Health Organisation reported that more than 90 per cent of the drugs being sold through the internet were fake.
The National's Arabic-language sister paper, Al Ittihad, reported that Haad's website published four lists: adulterated herbal weight loss supplements, body-building supplements, adulterated virility supplements and adulterated cosmetics.
Haad said the products could cause cirrhosis, cancer, cardiovascular illnesses and death.
The lists illustrate 392 counterfeit virility supplements, 190 counterfeit weight-loss supplements, 101 bodybuilding supplements and 46 counterfeit cosmetics
To view the lists, click here.
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