💊 eBay Buyer Tests Positive for Meth
In February 2023, an eBay buyer bought diet pills they believed to be from Beldt Labs. After taking the pills, they tested positive for meth during a random drug screening. They reported the incident to the FBI, which confirmed the pills contained meth. This led to the discovery of similar issues with other diet pill brands like PhenQ.
⚖️ eBay’s $59 Million Settlement
Earlier this year, eBay agreed to a $59M settlement with the DOJ for allowing the sale of pill presses that could be used to make counterfeit drugs. Despite this, a recent FBI investigation shows eBay still has a counterfeit drug problem. The DOJ declined to comment on ongoing investigations.
📉 Counterfeit Pills Proliferate on eBay
Manufacturers like Beldt Labs and Wolfson, the maker of PhenQ, have struggled with counterfeiters on eBay for years. James Atkins, CEO of Beldt Labs, said, “eBay is the biggest ongoing problem for us and many other sellers.” Despite new policies on Amazon, eBay hasn’t implemented similar safeguards.
🛑 FDA and DOJ Actions
Over the years, eBay merchants have continued selling pills tainted with dangerous ingredients. In one case, an 85-year-old was sentenced for selling toxic weight loss drugs on eBay. FDA spokesperson Amanda Hils stated the agency remains vigilant against unsafe products online. Dr. Sydney Bryn Austin from Harvard Medical School criticized weak regulations that allow retailers to sell dangerous products.
Have you ever bought supplements online without checking their safety?
