Dubai: Dubai Municipality on Monday said a product called Green Coffee 1000, which claims weight loss benefits, is banned in the UAE.
Responding to public queries about the product, the municipality clarified that the UAE Ministry of Health had in May 2013 issued a press release announcing a ban on this product.
“It was mentioned in the press release that the product contains globally banned substances that cause serious health side effects and the product is not registered in the country and is prohibited for trading. Global health authorities such as the US food and drug administration had advised avoiding the use of such products,” the civic body said on Monday.
The ministry’s press release had stated that the Pharmacy Inspection Section at the ministry had referred the samples of Green Coffee 1000 powder to food control labs and the results indicated the presence of hazardous substances such as sibutramine and phenolphthalein.
The laboratory report showed that there are many caveats when using these substances because they increase the risk of heart attack and stroke for patients who have a history of heart and blood vessel problems.
The press release had elaborated that sibutramine should not be used during many medical conditions, including for patients with coronary artery problems, blood pressure and people who have blockage in the arteries, or bouts of angina pectoris, or increased or irregular heartbeat. The lab report further said if it is used with other drugs it could result in an increase in the levels of toxicity or side effects.
The official clarification on this was issued as part of the “Confirmed News” initiative launched by Dubai Municipality, which aims to reduce the circulation of rumours that spread on social media and to correct false news and malicious rumours by addressing them quickly.
