Public records that became available on Tuesday April, 15th have revealed that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued a warning to the manufacturer of Craze – a once popular sports supplement. The warning letter – which was dated April 4th – centers on the supplement’s use of a controversial proprietary blend of ingredients that include an undisclosed methamphetamine-like compound.
Craze and its manufacturer Driven Sports have been under scrutiny for more than a year. The FDA’s warning letter is the first action taken by federal regulators, and comes months after Driven Sports stopped producing Craze following a USA Today investigation. A replacement product called Frenzy is now being sold outside of the United States.
The warning letter was prompted by several tests which revealed Craze’s proprietary blend of ingredients to be adulterated under federal law. The letter also states that the agency is not aware of evidence that the blend of ingredients listed as “dendrobex” has been used in the food supply and that Driven Sports never provided paperwork to have dendrobex allowed as a new ingredient. Federal regulators also cite research findings from Harvard that Craze contained N,alpha-diethylphenylethylamine – a meth-like compound.
A Once Popular Product
Craze was once a very popular sports performance product that was named New Supplement of the Year in 2012 by Bodybuilding.com. By issuing the warning letter, however, the FDA states that products could be seized and injunctions could be ordered if sales of products containing dendrobex continue. Because the owner of Driven Sports has a history of using questions ingredients in supplements – and has received a felony criminal conviction for doing so – the FDA has been criticized for its slow response.
Craze is yet another example of the ways in which supplement makers get around regulations, as well as the ways in which federal regulators are often slow to respond. At The Senators (Ret.) Firm, our California product liability lawyers help consumers who have been hurt by dangerous products, medications, and dietary supplements take action against manufacturers through the civil justice system. If you would like more information about filing a claim, call (949) 557-5800.