Council warns against deadly food supplement

East Cambridgeshire District Council is warning consumers against purchasing any supplements which may contain the chemical commonly known as DNP.
This extremely dangerous and toxic compound is marketed over the internet as a weight loss or body building supplement but, if taken, it can quickly cause kidney failure and even death.
Furthermore, taking this product alongside other performance enhancing drugs such as Clenbuterol can greatly increase the risks of dying. There have been six reported deaths linked to the supplement in the UK and dozens worldwide.
East Cambridgeshire District Council was alerted to the danger by the Food Standards Agency’s National Food Crime Unit. Environmental Services manager at ECDC, Liz Knox, said: “We strongly urge people not to buy or take this product. It is known to cause severe ill health and, in some cases, death. We have been alerted by the Food Standards Agency that this is being sold online as a weight loss product and metabolism booster and we are issuing this warning so that the public is aware of the major risks associated with DNP.”
The deadly effects of DNP, full name 2, 4-Dinitrophenol, have been known for nearly a century. Concerns have been raised by the Food Standards Agency that this product is once again being sold online to unwitting customers.
It was originally used in French munitions factories during the First World War when it was mixed with other ingredients to make explosives. Those workers exposed to DNP soon started to show symptoms of ill health including high temperature, sweating, weight loss and fatigue. Many people died before safety measures were introduced.
Now there are concerns it is available on the black market as metabolism booster, even though it has been designated not fit for human consumption. This chemical product is toxic if swallowed or inhaled or if it comes into contact with a person’s skin. Typical symptoms after taking DNP include pale yellow skin colour, bright yellow urine and excessive or unusual sweating.
The product is also toxic for the environment and may cause fires or explosions if it decomposes. It can be sold as a yellow powder, in capsules or even as a cream.