Supplements Containing Acacia Rigidula

Acacia rigidula is a perennial shrub found in Texas and Mexico and it’s popping up in numerous weight-loss dietary supplements. But the FDA considers the plant a new dietary ingredient that has not been proven safe for human consumption.

On March 7, the FDA ordered five companies selling supplements whose labeling indicates that they contain Acacia rigidula to halt their sales of those products. Warning letters were sent to:

• Achieve Health for Achieve Energy
• Journey Health USA for Journey To Weight Control
• Legendary Nutrition for Thermotropin
• Nubreed Nutrition for UNDISPUTED
• Ronnie Coleman Signature Series/Rcba Nutraceuticals for BETA-STIM 45 SCOOPS

The FDA told the companies that “there is no history of use or other evidence of safety establishing that (Acadia) rigidula will reasonably be expected to be safe when used as a dietary ingredient.” As such, the agency warned:

Failure to immediately cease distribution of your product (insert name of product) and any other products you market that contain (Acadia) rigidula could result in enforcement action by FDA without further notice.

The letters gave the supplement companies 15 days to respond with how they intend to bring their products into compliance with the law. As of March 16, at least two of the five companies (Achieve Health and Legendary Nutrition) were still selling the supplements containing Acadia rigidula on their respective websites, a TINA.org review found.

In April 2015, the FDA issued warnings to five other companies regarding eight products containing BMPEA, which is an amphetamine-like stimulant. Two of the companies identified Acacia rigidula as the source of BMPEA.

Find more of our coverage on Acadia rigidula and its use in weight-loss supplements here.