Following the deaths of two military soldiers, the U.S. Department of Defense has implemented a temporary ban on the sale of several dietary supplements from military facility shelves. Subsequently, traces of DMAA (1,3-dimethylamylamine), an ingredient believed by many to be dangerous and illegal, were found in the blood of the deceased men. The temporary moratorium includes the removal of all dietary supplements containing DMAA until the safety and efficacy of the active ingredient is determined.
In April 1971, Eli Lilly & Co. developed Forthane to be used as a nasal decongestant. However, the patent guarding Forthane has since expired, and dietary supplements have continued to market the ingredient as 1,3-dimethylamylamine and DMAA since 2006. While originally intended to be used as a nasal decongestant, DMAA has been marketed as a dietary supplement in combination with caffeine and other ingredients to be used as an over-the-counter thermogenic or general purpose stimulant. Military facilities provided dietary supplements that contained DMAA, such as Jack3d and OxyELITE, to troops to enhance their workouts.
Unfortunately, the ambiguous nature of DMAA has served as a catalyst for debate in the dietary supplement industry. According to data, provided by China, researchers using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) techniques were able to determine that DMAA is a constituent of geranium oil. Their findings may be found in the Journal of Guizhou Institute of Technology. However, there is no more evidence that further substantiates the claims made by the Chinese researchers.
Many healthcare officials believe that DMAA is the product of synthetic adulterated substances that are disguising themselves as geranium extract to avoid FDA regulations. Ed Wyszumiala, the general manager of dietary supplements at NSF International, acknowledged that “if somebody shows him the evidence proving that DMAA is extracted from geranium oil, stems or leaves, he would love to see it.”
In reaction to the current debate over the origins of this mysterious ingredient, and the two deaths involving military soldiers, the U.S. Department of Defense has instituted a temporary moratorium on the sale of all products that contain DMAA. Subsequently, the removal of DMAA from military facility shelves is to prevent any further adverse incidents from happening in the near future. Lieutenant Gen. Patricia Horoho, the army surgeon general, acknowledges that they must take the health of their “service members and families very seriously, and believe this action is necessary as a precautionary measure until they can learn more” about DMAA.
Compounding the already volatile situation, are similar complications taking place across the world. NutraIngredients.com identified a 21-year old New Zealand man who suffered a cerebral hemorrhage shortly after ingesting “party pills” that contained DMAA.
Accordingly, the ambiguous nature of DMAA is the subject of a recent class action lawsuit. Johnnie Pacheco has alleged that Jack3d and OxyELITE contain DMAA in a “synthetic form that is both illegal and dangerous.” The complaint was filed in the US. District Court in the Central District of California against Texas-based USPLabs after a military probe discovered traces of DMAA in the blood of two deceased military soldiers. Subsequently, a decision was made to remove DMAA products from Army and Air Force Exchange Service stores.
Pacheco claims that these dietary supplement manufactures have made false and misleading statements about the supplements’ legality, safety and efficacy. Subsequently, he is seeking damages on behalf of everyone in California who purchased Jack3d and OxyELITE within the past four years.
Do I Have a DMAA Lawsuit?
The trial lawyers at The Senators (Ret.) Firm, LLP have decades of experience navigating through complex legislative and regulatory issues and litigating high stakes cases all over the nation. Our law firm focuses on the representation of plaintiffs in DMAA lawsuits. We are currently accepting new cases in all 50 states.
If you or a loved one has been injured by products containing DMAA, you may be entitled to financial compensation. For a free case review, please click the link below or call toll free 24 hrs/day 1-(949) 557-5800.