On January 3, 2024, the FDA warned consumers not to purchase or use certain tejocote root supplements after FDA laboratory analysis confirmed the products contain yellow oleander (Thevetia peruviana), a toxic herb.

Yellow oleander can cause severe adverse health effects and potentially be fatal. It contains cardiac glycosides that are highly toxic to both humans and animals. Yellow oleander can cause neurologic, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, dizziness, changes in heart rhythm, and other adverse effects.

To-date, the FDA has tested nine samples of products sold by Amazon.com, Global Max, Inc.; Innovacion Natural, LLC; Pastor-Villarreal, Inc.; and Alipotec South TX World Green Nutrition, Inc. The following brands have been found to contain yellow oleander (see update below about additional products):
 

• Alipotec Tejocote Root
• ELV Alipotec Raiz de Tejocote
• ELV Nutraholics Mexican Tejocote Root
• ELVPOTEC Tejocote Root
• Niwali Raiz de Tejocote
• Nutraholics ELV Tejocote Root
• Science of Alpha Mexican Tejocote Root
• Tejocotex

The FDA advised that anyone who has taken these products contact their healthcare provider immediately, and if experiencing serious side effects, to call 9-1-1 or get emergency medical help right away. The agency also stated that even if these products have not been used recently, consumers should inform their health care provider about which product they took, so that an appropriate evaluation may be conducted.

This warning follows a report that several weight loss supplement products labeled as containing “Nuez de la India” seeds actually contained yellow oleander in September 2023.

The CDC also recently reported that ten weight loss products purchased online and labeled as containing "tejocote root" (Crataegus mexicana) have been analyzed and found to be yellow oleander. The products are sold under some of the same brand names, including Alipotec, Science Alpha, Niwali, and Tejocotex, as well as others (see the full list of products). The tests were conducted after a child in New Jersey in September, 2022 developed nausea, vomiting, a slow heart rate, and low blood pressure requiring emergency medical treatment after consuming Eva Nutrition Mexican Tejocote Root.

Update:
January 26, 2024: The FDA has expanded its Safety Alert after analysis of nine additional products found them to contain toxic yellow oleander. The products were sold by Amazon.com, Global Mix, Inc.; Sunset Sales +, ALIPOTEC RAIZ DE TEJOCOTE, Natural Supplements, LLC; H and Natural, Backstage CTC Seller, Innovacion Natural, LLC; Pastor-Villareal Inc.; and Allipotec South TX World Green Nutrition, Inc. For the complete list and more details, use the link below.

February 26, 2024: Backstage Center issued a recall of 280 bottles of Alipotec Raiz de Tejocote after FDA analysis found the product contained toxic yellow oleander. The products were distributed on Amazon.com starting September 15, 2023 and packaged in cylindrical bottles with a green top, labeled with an “Alipotec King” sticker. Affected products can be further identified by Lot Code 238124 and Expiration Date 08-2027. For more information, read the full announcement.

April 3, 2024: World Green Nutrition, Inc. issued a recall expansion of ELV Control Herbal Supplement capsules (listed above) after FDA analysis found the product contained toxic yellow oleander. The products were sold through authorized distributors and are packaged in a white container with a blue lid marked with the product’s batch number. Products can be further identified by the following batch numbers: N1082701 (EXP: 050328), GESPM240622 (EXP: 071324), GESPM300622 (EXP:071324), GESPM050722 (EXP:071324), 190620230009B (EXP:061928), 190620231573678B (EXP:062828) and 280620231573678BA (EXP:062828). Consumers who have purchased the recalled products should stop consuming them and return them to their place of purchase for an exchange. For more information, read the full announcement.

April 5, 2024: Global Mix, Inc. issued a recall of multiple tejocote products from Eva Nutrition, Science of Alpha, Niwali, and NWL Nutra because the products were found to contain toxic yellow oleander throughout routine sampling. The products were distributed throughout the United States and sold on company websites and Amazon.com and Etsy.com. Affected products all have a serial number of 181121U, manufacturing date of 08/01/2023, and expiry date of 06/2025. For more information, read the full announcement.

For more information, use the link below.

FDA Issues Warning About Certain Tejocote Root Supplements Substituted with Toxic Yellow Oleander (January 2024)

See related recalls and warnings:

Toxic Herb Found In Weight Supplements