Abstrato

Presence of undeclared caffeine in weight loss food supplements

Stanislava Ivanova, Anna Mihaylova, Penka Petleshkova, Kalin Ivanov

Recent studies claim that weight loss supplements often contain pharmacoactive ingredients or undeclared drug substances with a potential health risk. This study is focused on food supplements in the category “weight loss” in which label caffeine was not declared. Analysed samples were purchased from dietary supplement stores, pharmacies and internet. In the screening were included only food supplements witch do not contain caffeine or herbal extracts which contain caffeine like guarana, kola nut, yerba mate etc. 30 samples were analysed by HPLC/UV detection. We found undeclared caffeine in 5 of the analysed samples. The presence of undeclared caffeine in food supplements for weight loss could lead to serious health consequences especially for consumers with cardiovascular disea