The FDA has identified over 20 dietary supplement products marketed as tejocote root or Brazil seed that actually contain yellow oleander, a toxic plant that can cause severe neurological, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular damage—or even be fatal. These counterfeit supplements have been sold on major platforms including Amazon, eBay, and Etsy, often marketed for weight loss or general wellness. If you've purchased any of these products, health officials urge you to stop using them immediately and contact a poison control center or seek emergency care if you've experienced any symptoms.

What Is Yellow Oleander and Why Is It So Dangerous?

Yellow oleander (Thevetia peruviana) is a poisonous plant native to Mexico and Central America that has no place in any dietary supplement. Unlike the legitimate tejocote root (Crataegus mexicana), which is a hawthorn species traditionally used in some herbal remedies, yellow oleander contains cardiac glycosides—compounds that attack your heart, nervous system, and digestive tract. The FDA has received adverse event reports, including at least one serious adverse event, linked to these contaminated products.

Consuming yellow oleander can trigger neurologic symptoms like dizziness, double vision, and slurred speech, as well as gastrointestinal distress and dangerous changes in heart rhythm. In severe cases, these effects can be life-threatening without prompt medical intervention.

How Did This Happen? The Online Marketplace Problem

The FDA's investigation, which began after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported several contaminated tejocote products in September 2023, reveals a troubling pattern: manufacturers are deliberately substituting yellow oleander for the labeled ingredients, likely because it's cheaper or more readily available. What makes this particularly alarming is where these products are being sold. Major online platforms—Amazon, eBay, and Etsy—have hosted listings for these dangerous supplements, often fulfilling orders through third-party sellers or their own fulfillment networks.

The FDA has worked with these platforms to remove listings, but the agency notes that some selling firms have not committed to recalls, and the FDA has been unable to contact others. This means contaminated products may still be circulating in the marketplace.

Which Products Should You Avoid?

The FDA has identified the following brands and products containing yellow oleander. If you own any of these, do not use them:

• SdB Semilla de Brasil Tejocote Root and SdB ELITE: Sold on naturalvida.com and Amazon; manufacturer has not committed to recall
• SiluetaYa Mexican Tejocote Roots: Sold on siluetayausa.com; recall announced
• VidaSlim: Sold on Vidaslim.com; recall announced
• Primor Health Optimus Weight: Sold on Amazon; manufacturer has not committed to recall
• Green ELV Nutrition brand Elv Control Herbal Supplement (capsules): Sold on Amazon; recall announced after FDA received adverse event reports
• ALIPOTEC ELV Mexican Tejocote Root and ALIPOTEC Tejocote Root Dietary Supplement Pieces: Sold on alipotecus.com and alipotectejocote.com; recall announced
• EVA NUTRITION Mexican Tejocote Root: Sold on Eva-nutrition.com; recall announced
• Science of ALPHA Mexican Tejocote Root: Sold on Tejocotemexican.com; recall announced
• H & Natural Tejo Root and Brazil Seed: Sold on Handnatural.com; recall announced
• Chupa Panza: Sold on eBay; listing removed and FDA unable to contact seller
• New Me: Sold on Shopnewmeroot.com; FDA unable to contact firm

This list continues to grow as the FDA completes testing on additional suspect products. The agency emphasizes that other products marketed as tejocote root—including those labeled as Crataegus mexicana, Raiz de Tejocote, or Mexican Hawthorn—may also contain yellow oleander.

What Should You Do If You've Used These Products?

The FDA's guidance is clear and urgent: if you have taken any of these contaminated supplements, contact your healthcare provider immediately, even if you haven't used the product recently. Your doctor needs to evaluate you for potential poisoning. Watch for warning signs including muscle weakness, dizziness, double vision, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing or breathing, and abdominal swelling. If you experience any of these symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

You can also contact your state's poison control center for guidance. The Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) is available 24/7 and can provide immediate advice.

Steps to Protect Yourself From Contaminated Supplements

• Check your pantry now: Search your home for any tejocote root, Brazil seed, or weight-loss supplements you may have purchased online. Cross-reference the brand name and seller against the FDA's complete list on their website
• Verify the source: Before buying any dietary supplement online, research the manufacturer and seller. Avoid third-party sellers on major platforms unless you can independently verify the company's legitimacy and safety record
• Dispose of contaminated products safely: Do not throw contaminated supplements in the trash where children or pets might access them. Double-bag any liquid products to prevent leaks, and consider taking them to a pharmacy or hazardous waste facility for proper disposal
• Report adverse events: If you've experienced any health problems after using these supplements, report it to the FDA through their Industry and Consumer Assistance portal. These reports help the agency track emerging safety issues
• Be skeptical of online supplement deals: Supplements sold at unusually low prices on third-party marketplaces carry higher contamination risk. Stick to established retailers or purchase directly from manufacturers with verifiable safety records

The Bigger Picture: Why Supplements Remain Vulnerable

This yellow oleander crisis highlights a persistent weakness in the dietary supplement industry: unlike medications, supplements don't require FDA approval before they're sold. Manufacturers are responsible for ensuring their products are safe and properly labeled, but enforcement is reactive rather than preventive. The FDA can only act after contamination is discovered and reported.

The fact that these dangerous products made it onto Amazon, eBay, and Etsy—platforms with millions of daily users—underscores how difficult it is to police the online supplement marketplace. While the FDA is working with these platforms to remove listings, the agency acknowledges that some products remain available and some manufacturers have declined to issue recalls.

The bottom line: if you're considering any dietary supplement, especially weight-loss products marketed with traditional or ethnic names, research the manufacturer thoroughly, purchase from reputable sources, and be aware that online marketplaces may host counterfeit or contaminated products. Your health is too important to gamble on an unverified supplement.