Our attorneys have filed a class action lawsuit alleging that General Nutrition Company (GNC) knowingly sold products containing unlawful synthetic chemicals to consumers.
According to the lawsuit, certain dietary supplements sold by GNC were spiked with illegal and potentially dangerous substances: picamilon, BMPEA, and acacia rigidula. The Food and Drug Administration has stated in warning letters to manufacturers as well as in an official declaration that picamilon, BMPEA, and acacia rigidula are not approved “dietary ingredients” under federal law and therefore cannot lawfully be sold to consumers.
The complaint, last amended in April 2016, alleges that by knowingly selling dietary supplements labeled with picamilon, BMPEA, and acacia rigidula, GNC falsely represented to consumers that these substances were safe and approved for sale as dietary ingredients. The suit also alleges that certain other supplements sold by GNC contained undisclosed BMPEA falsely labeled as acacia rigidula.
The first amended consolidated complaint asks the court to certify a nationwide class of affected consumers, as well as subclasses of consumers from Arkansas, California, Florida, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
GNC has moved to dismiss the complaint, and Plaintiffs have opposed the motion. The district court is currently considering the motion.
What Are Picamilon, Acacia Rigidula, and BMPEA?
Picamilon is a synthetic chemical developed by researchers in the former Soviet Union. It is used as a prescription drug in Russia for a variety of neurological conditions but has never been approved for prescription or other use in the United States.
BMPEA is an amphetamine-like synthetic chemical that is not found in nature. Its effects on humans are largely unknown but a study has linked the chemical to the occurrence of hemorrhagic stroke. The use of BMPEA has been banned by the World Anti-Doping Organization.
Acacia rigidula is a botanical extract that the FDA has stated has no history of safe use.
Did You Buy Affected Dietary Supplements from GNC?
If you believe that you used one of GNC’s dietary supplements containing picamilon, BMPEA, or acacia rigidula and want to receive updates about the case, fill out the form to the right. You may also receive a free consultation with our attorneys by filling out the form or calling toll-free (800) 254-9493.
Gibbs Law Group LLP is one of the nation’s leading firms representing consumers and small businesses in cases involving consumer protection.
Affected Products
| Products with Picamilon | |
| Charge Extreme Energy Booster | Labrada Bodybuilding Nutrition |
| Lean Body for Her Fat Burner | Labrada Bodybuilding Nutrition |
| Lean Body Hi Energy Fat Burn | Labrada Bodybuilding Nutrition |
| Testek | QNT International, Inc. |
| Riptek V2 | QNT International, Inc. |
| Tru Mangodrin | Truderma, LLC |
| Turbo Shred | Swole Sports Nutrition |
| Jacked Pack | BD Health Partners |
| Mr. Hyde- Fruit Punch | Prosupps USA LLC |
| Mr. Hyde – Watermelon | Prosupps USA LLC |
| Dr. Jekyll- Power Punch | Prosupps USA LLC |
| Dr. Jekyll- Watermelon | Prosupps USA LLC |
| Mr. Hyde- Orange Guava | Prosupps USA LLC |
| Vanish Bonus | Prosupps USA LLC |
| Mr. Hyde- Red Razz | Prosupps USA LLC |
| Mr. Hyde RTD Blue Razz | Prosupps USA LLC |
| Mr. Hyde – Blue Razz | Prosupps USA LLC |
| Mr. Hyde RTD Fruit Punch | Prosupps USA LLC |
| Nirvana | Sensatus Group LLC |
| ENGN Fruit Punch | Evlution Nutrition |
| ENGN Blue Raz | Evlution Nutrition |
| ENGN Green Apple | Evlution Nutrition |
| Products with Acacia Rigidula | |
| Hit Fastin XR | Hi Tech Pharmaceuticals |
| Lipodrene XR | Hi Tech Pharmaceuticals |
| Fastin XR DMAA Free | Hi Tech Pharmaceuticals |
| Jetfuel Superburn | World Health Products LLC |
| Green Coffee Bean + Energy | Rightway Nutrition |
| MX-LS7 | Isatori Global Technologies |
| Phenylcore |
| Products Labeled with BMPEA | |
| Fastin | High Tech Pharmaceuticals |
| Fastin DMAA Free | High Tech Pharmaceuticals |
| Meltdown Watermelon | VPX Sports, Inc. |
| Meltdown Peach Mango | VPX Sports, Inc. |
| Meltdown Exotic Fruit | VPX Sports, Inc. |
| Lipo 6 Black | Nutrex Research |
| Meltdown | VPX Sports, Inc. |
| Redline Ultra Hardcore Twinpk | VPX Sports, Inc. |
| Redline Ultra Hardcore Bonus | VPX Sports, Inc. |
| Redline Ultra Hardcore | VPX Sports, Inc. |
| Redline Hardcore Blister Pak | VPX Sports, Inc. |
| Fruit N.O. Shotgun | VPX Sports, Inc. |
| Grp Bgum Shotgun V3 | VPX Sports, Inc. |
| Craze — Candy Grape | Driven Sports |
| Vanish Bonus | Prosupps USA LLC |
| Shredz Burner | Shredz Supplements |
| Iso Lean 2 | VPX Sports, Inc. |
| Iso Lean 3 | VPX Sports, Inc. |
| Methyl Drive 2.0 | VPX Sports, Inc. |