GSK Recalls Weight Loss Products After Tampering Found
All alli products are being recalled from U.S. and Puerto Rican retailers after tampered products reportedly were purchased by consumers at retail stores in seven states.
GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare announced March 27 that it has recalled all alli® weight loss products from U.S. and Puerto Rican retailers "as the company believes that some packages of the product were tampered with and may contain product that is not authentic alli®." Tampered products reportedly were purchased by consumers at retail stores in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, and Texas, according to the notice posted by the company, which is conducting an investigation and is working with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on the recall.
"GSK received inquiries from consumers in seven states about bottles of alli® that contained tablets and capsules that were not alli®. A range of tablets and capsules of various shapes and colors were reported to be found inside bottles. Additionally, some bottles inside the outer carton were missing labels and had tamper-evident seals that were not authentic. These tampered products were purchased in retail stores," the notice states.
"Safety is our first priority, and we are asking retailers and pharmacies to remove all alli from their shelves immediately," said Colin Mackenzie, president, Consumer Healthcare North America. "We have posted a Consumer Alert on our website, www.myalli.com, and issued a news release with information and photographs to help consumers determine if their alli is authentic."
Authentic alli® is a turquoise blue capsule with a dark blue band imprinted with "60 Orlistat," and the labeled bottle has an inner foil seal imprinted with the words, "Sealed for Your Protection." Consumers who have product they are unsure or concerned about should not use it and should call GSK promptly at 800-671-2554; a representative will provide further instructions. If they have consumed questionable product, they should also contact their health care providers, the notice states.
Consumers can look for capsules the wrong color or shape, as well as lot numbers and expiration dates on the bottle that do not match the lot number and expiration date on the outer carton. Bottles bearing these lot numbers and expiration dates on the carton have been reported to GSK by consumers as containing product other than alli®:
- Carton Lot 14372, Expiration: 02/28/2016
- Carton Lot 14395, Expiration: 02/28/2016
- Carton Lot 14124, Expiration: 09/30/2015
- Carton Lot 14267, Expiration: 01/31/2016
- Carton Lot 14442, Expiration: 04/30/2016