Posted by Fina
(here)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-11404218
On the BBC News teletext today:
"Alert issued on danger supplement"
Food watchdogs have issued an alert after finding that a chemical marketed online as a health supplement was similar to industrial-strength bleach.
'Miracle Mineral Supplement' is 28% sodium chlorite - which becomes bleach when mixed with citric acid.
Even taken as instructed, experts say it can cause severe vomiting and diarrhoea - and mixing it wrongly could lead to respiratory failure.
The Food Standards Agency is seeking to track down any UK-based sellers.
This product is equivalent to industrial-strength bleach”
Food Standards Agency spokesman
The supplement, which claims to have beneficial effects against a wide range of illnesses, ranging from HIV and hepatitis to H1N1 flu, has already been the subject of warnings from the Food and Drug Agency (FDA) in the US.
Now UK consumers are being urged to dispose of the supplement as soon as possible, and help the Food Standards Agency and local authorities find suppliers in this country..."