Health Department Seeks Voluntary Destruction of Embargoed Oxyelite Pro Products

REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH – HONOLULU – The Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) is notifying all retailers that have embargoed OxyELITE Pro product in their possession that DOH will begin collecting and destroying the product. Retailers storing the embargoed product are asked to voluntarily surrender all supplies to DOH today for proper destruction and disposal. This action follows a voluntary recall issued by USPLabs in cooperation with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), and an ongoing DOH disease investigation identifying OxyELITE Pro as the only common factor in multiple cases of liver damage and acute hepatitis in Hawaii. Surrendered products will be taken to H-Power for documented destruction and disposal witnessed by health inspectors.

“The department’s ongoing disease investigation has associated OxyELITE Pro with 36 cases of liver damage and acute hepatitis in Hawaii,” said Health Director Loretta Fuddy. “Voluntary cooperation by retailers is the first step in safely destroying and disposing of products that may pose a threat to the public’s health. The department is taking this step to prevent further illness and protect Hawaii residents and visitors, and may take more stringent legal action if needed. We will continue to work with our federal partners at CDC and FDA on this issue.”

DOH began an investigation of multiple cases of liver failure and acute hepatitis occurring in individuals using dietary or nutritional supplements on Sept. 24 after consultation with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. On Oct. 8, DOH requested Hawaii retailers and distributors voluntarily pull OxyELITE Pro products from sale. After receiving several indications that the product would not be voluntarily pulled from shelves, the department issued a mandatory embargo the next day. During the embargo process, DOH inspectors visited more than 160 retailers statewide and inventoried 329,509 capsules and 8,342 ounces of powder which were pulled from sale. The product has an estimated retail value of more than $250,000.

An ongoing DOH investigation has identified 36 cases of liver failure and acute hepatitis with the use of OxyELITE Pro products as the only common factor. “The department found that many of the individuals who became ill used the product and took dosages as directed by the package instructions,” said Dr. Sarah Park, state epidemiologist.

DOH continues to urge people who use dietary or nutritional supplements for weight loss and/or muscle gain to talk with their doctor or health care provider. Persons using dietary or nutritional supplements who develop symptoms, such as abdominal pain or discomfort, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea and/or vomiting, and yellow skin or eyes, should consult their health care provider immediately.

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