March 20 - The Food Standards Agency is warning people not to take the food supplement Leppin Miradin, also known as Fortodol, following reports of contamination with a banned drug.
Swedish laboratory tests have found that some of these supplements have been contaminated with nimesulide, which is a medicine that is banned in the UK because it has been linked to liver-related illnesses. It is not possible to identify exactly how many or which batches of this product contain nimesulide.
Leppin Miradin/Fortodol claims to be a natural anti-inflammatory pain killer for conditions such as arthritis, migraines and back pain.
Made in America by a company called Donsbach, these products are exported to Sweden and then resold more widely across Europe.
Reports of serious illness linked to these contaminated products have been received from Sweden and Norway – including acute liver failure – and two people may have died as a result of taking these products.
There have been no reports of liver failure or illness linked with these products in the UK. As a precautionary measure, however, these products have been voluntarily withdrawn from sale by the two main importers and recall notices will be placed in the shops selling these supplements.