Prohibited substances in instant coffee

Prohibited substances in instant coffee Vitaccino. The type of coffee triggered by consumers health side effects, the prosecutor's office has started the investigation.

23/02/2011

The prosecution is currently investigating a maker of instant coffee. In the coffee of the company Imperia Elita ingredients were detected that the banned appetite suppressant „sibutramine“ contained. Numerous consumers suffered after the consumption of the coffee Vitaccino under side effects such as strong heart palpitations.

Repeated complaints of instant coffee
Repeated was the appetite suppressant sibutramine in the coffee "Vitaccino" of the manufacturer „Imperia Elita“ demonstrated. The pharmacologically active substance sibutramine was originally developed for a drug and is banned in Germany due to the sometimes severe health side effects. After the company had to initiate a total of two times a recall, now the investigating authorities have turned into the case. The public prosecutor Gießen accuses the company of having violated the food and feed laws. In addition, there is the suspicion of gross or negligent assault, as a spokeswoman confirmed.

Coffee should help you lose weight
According to the prosecutor, the company solicited the argument that the coffee would help the consumer lose weight. The type of coffee contained part of the named appetite hammers. The authorities had reported numerous citizens who had drunk the coffee and then complained of strong side effects. Therefore, the suspicion of a personal injury is justified, so the spokeswoman. Already at the end of last year investigators searched the premises of the company and some apartments of the main responsible persons. In the process, large quantities of the offending coffee were confiscated. Consumers had complained of palpitations and dilated pupils after eating. Subsequently, numerous customers complained to the authorities, who then began the investigation.

Strong side effects of the drug
The banned substance can cause side effects such as headache, nausea and vomiting, as well as hypertension and cardiac arrhythmia. Especially patients with cardiovascular disease are at risk of consuming sibutramine. According to some clinical trials, this group of people may experience a life-threatening heart attack. A scientific study in the United States found 34 deaths in people with cardiovascular disease from taking the drug.

The manufacturer Imperia Elita referred in this connection again and again to the fact that the product before the introduction in the German market, by the responsible authorities had been examined. The examiners had made no complaints. The product is currently no longer distributed on the company's website. Instead, announce a successor product with the same name. By contrast, health authorities vigorously warn against consuming the incriminated type of coffee. (Sb)

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Picture: S. Hainz