There are few things more sobering than when the Food and Drug Administration gets involved and basically says, “Yeah, we’re gonna need to shut this down.” From sketchy health claims to full-blown public health nightmares, the FDA has had its hands full with companies and products that forgot the whole “safety” part of the equation.
Whether it was a miracle pill that wasn’t so miraculous or a food additive that turned out to be more “science experiment” than “delicious,” these moments prove that the FDA isn’t afraid to hit the brakes. Here are 17 times the agency had to step in and say a very firm, “Absolutely not.”
17. The “Weight Loss” Candy with a Side of Heart Problems
This product promised to melt fat like magic but forgot to mention the potentially dangerous stimulant hiding inside. The FDA quickly stepped in and yanked it off shelves before hearts could race out of control.
16. The Tanning Pills That Turned You Orange
Tanning without the sun? Sounds great—until people started turning pumpkin-colored. The FDA said no thanks to these dye-filled pills and shut the whole thing down.
15. Energy Drinks With a Splash of Hospital Visits
Some energy drinks were doing a little more than giving you wings—they were sending folks to the ER. The FDA finally clamped down after a spike in caffeine-related incidents.
14. “All-Natural” Teething Tablets Loaded with Belladonna
These were marketed to soothe babies but secretly packed a toxic punch. When infants started having seizures, the FDA was like, “Okay, absolutely not.”
13. A Supplement That Was Basically Viagra in Disguise
This “herbal” product claimed to be all-natural but was actually hiding undeclared prescription ingredients. The FDA caught the switcheroo and shut it down before date night turned into a disaster.
12. The Eyedrops That Forgot About Sterility
A few companies got lazy with the whole “don’t cause blindness” thing. The FDA recalled the contaminated drops and gave them a hard lesson in basic hygiene.
11. The Slimming Tea That Also Contained a Laxative Surprise
People signed up for weight loss and ended up with serious bathroom emergencies. The FDA stepped in to remind companies that honesty (and safe ingredients) matter.
10. DIY COVID-19 Tests That Didn’t Actually Work
During the pandemic rush, a few companies sold test kits that were more guesswork than science. The FDA had to pull them before people made major life decisions based on faulty results.
9. Spray-On Sunscreen That Ignited on Skin
What could go wrong with flammable aerosol and direct sunlight? A lot, apparently—so the FDA had to intervene and remove the danger from store shelves.
8. The “Miracle Mineral Solution” That Was Literally Bleach
Some folks thought it could cure everything. The FDA, however, clarified that drinking bleach is still not medicine and swiftly banned it.
7. Caffeinated Alcoholic Beverages That Were Basically Legal Blackouts
These drinks packed enough punch to knock you out and keep you wide awake at the same time. The FDA labeled them a public health risk and said goodbye to the party.
6. Baby Formula Made in a Facility With a Rat Problem
No one wants a side of rodents when feeding their newborn. The FDA shut down the operation and issued an urgent recall before things got worse.
5. Botox Knockoffs That Were Straight-Up Dangerous
Cheap imitations of Botox hit the market, but they came with a serious health risk. The FDA cracked down hard before vanity turned into a medical emergency.
4. Weight Loss Creams That Claim to Melt Fat Without Diet or Exercise
They promised six-pack abs in a bottle, but delivered a whole lot of nothing—and sometimes skin irritation. The FDA pulled them and told consumers to stick to the gym.
3. Fake Cancer Cures Sold Online
Desperate patients were being misled by products that promised hope but delivered nothing. The FDA cracked down on these scams with zero tolerance.
Read More: 15 Foods That Still Contain the Now-Banned Red No. 3 Dye
2. Imported Candy With an Extra Lead Bonus
Kids were eating imported treats laced with lead, which is not exactly sweet. The FDA issued major recalls and tightened restrictions on imported food safety.
Read More: 19 Benefits of Cutting Down on Imported Goods
1. E-Cigarettes Marketed to Teens With Flavors Like “Unicorn Puke”
The fruity names and colorful packaging weren’t fooling anyone. The FDA came down hard on vaping companies for targeting minors and pushed for stricter regulations.
Read More: What You Need to Know About the FDA’s Ban on Red Dye No. 3
