Sales of Daewoong Pharmaceutical's diet health functional food sold at discount household-goods retailer Daiso were halted and the product was recalled after two people reported adverse cases after taking it.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) said on the 23rd that it took the measures after two people who took Daewoong Pharmaceutical's Garcinia showed symptoms of acute hepatitis.
The product is made with Garcinia cambogia extract, known to help reduce body fat. It works by inhibiting the synthesis of carbohydrates into fat. The consumption deadline was Apr. 2027. Daewoong Pharmaceutical said it voluntarily recalled all distributed products "to protect consumers."
According to the MFDS, the two people took alcohol together with the product and showed symptoms of acute hepatitis. Both were hospitalized and discharged after 7–8 days. The MFDS recommended that other consumers who purchased the product stop taking it and return it.
The MFDS convened a health functional food review committee and classified the product as "adverse case level 5." This indicates a very high likelihood of adverse cases occurring after taking the product, with symptoms severe enough to warrant immediate public notification. The MFDS said that although its inspection of collected products found no noncompliance with standards or specifications, it made the decision to protect consumers.
The MFDS plans to require products made with Garcinia cambogia extract to carry a warning that "in rare cases, it may harm the liver and alcohol should be avoided during the period of intake." To that end, it will revise the standards and specifications for health functional foods.