The Ministry of Health, MoH, has warned against the use of DNP slimming pills after it was cautioned by the world police agency, Interpol, over the threat posed by the illicit and potentially lethal drug used as a dieting and body-building aid.

After a request by the French health authorities, Interpol, on 4th May issued an Orange Notice alert declaring DNP potentially a lethal drug for consumers around the world.

The Orange Notice warning about DNP, which is also used as a raw material for explosives, was published by Interpol after one woman died in the UK and a French man was left seriously ill after taking the substance.

The MoH has notified all health authorities in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and other relevant authorities including the Ministry of Environment and Water, Emirates Authority For Standardisation & Metrology, Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority, Federal Customs Authority, the Presidential Affairs Ministry, and the Medical Services Corps of the UAE Armed Forces.

2,4-dinitrophenol or DNP is highly toxic and is not intended for human consumption. It is an industrial chemical sold illegally in diet pills as a fat-burning substance.

DNP users experience a metabolism boost, leading to weight loss, but taking even a few tablets can be fatal.

Signs of acute poisoning include nausea, vomiting, restlessness, flushed skin, sweating, dizziness, headaches, rapid respiration and irregular heartbeat Dr Amin Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health Polices and Licensing at the MoH noted that some individuals run after using dietary supplements, beauty products without caring about their potential risks to their health. Most of these products, including DNP, are unlicensed in the UAE and other countries.

He noted that illegal sales of such products are being made by people who are outside the UAE with some of them having representatives in the UAE.
Source: WAM