FDA Cancels Proposed Limits on Ephedra

WASHINGTON — Federal health officials Friday withdrew controversial proposals to limit consumption of the herb ephedra, often promoted as a weight-loss aid, as they conduct a new review of its safety.

The Food and Drug Administration, which has been criticized by the dietary supplement industry for creating unfounded alarm about the substance, said it had received 273 reports of adverse reactions in people consuming products containing ephedra.

Joseph Levitt, head of the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, said a number of the reports were linked to ephedra, but he could not say how many or how serious they were.

In 1997, the FDA had proposed limiting ephedra both in dosages and in length of time it could be used.

Lawmakers and industry groups protested that the FDA did not have enough evidence for the restrictions.

Ephedra has a mild stimulant effect similar to caffeine but is safe if taken properly, said Wes Siegner, a spokesman for the Ephedra Education Council.