FDA warns consumers vs slimming underwear

MANILA, Philippines - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned the public yesterday against buying and using slimming underwear products.          

The agency said it has ordered all stores selling Onami slimming underwear to remove the products from their shelves. The health benefits a person gets from using the products are “unsubstantiated and baseless,” the FDA said.

Through advertisements, Onami claims that tourmaline, a semi-precious “electrical stone,” is embedded in the underwear and can deliver a number of health benefits.

Onami claims its product can detoxify the body, burn fat, strengthen the immune system, boost a person’s metabolism, increase mental alertness, relieve fatigue and stress, reduce body aches and prevent body odor.

The FDA said all of Onami’s claims are not backed up by scientific studies.

Investigators also found that the products were not registered with the FDA, which regulates all devices that have therapeutic and health claims.

“These products need to be registered also with the FDA to ensure that they meet safety, efficacy and quality standards, and all health claims made are truthful and are not misleading,” FDA stressed.

The agency noted that only health products that meet its standards are issued a Certificate of Product Registration and only health products that are registered may be offered for sale or use and advertised, among other promotional and marketing activities.