The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) warned against Beautiful Slim Body and Collagen Slim Capsules which Australians purchase online.

Both Beautiful Slim Body and Collagen Slim Capsules were tested to be perilous to people's health and should not be taken, aside from being found that their supplies were illegal. These capsules did not undergo required assessment for quality, safety or efficacy conducted by TGA as prescribed by the Australian laws. Also, the place of manufacture was not verified by TGA.

TGA found that both Beautiful Slim Body and Collagen Slim capsules contained undeclared prescription substance sibutramine - despite the product label claim that it is '100% herbal extracts' and contains no medicines.

Sibutramine is a prescription-only substance which was active in Reductil. This substance was pulled-out in October 2010 after being proven that it causes major cardiac arrests.

The amount of sibutramine found in both capsules exceeded the allowable amount of what was prescribed.

TGA strongly advised people to stop taking both slimming capsules and bring all remaining capsules to the nearest pharmacy for proper disposal.

TGA is already working with the Australian Customs and Border Protection Services to stop all shipments of both capsules to Australia.

On Jan 10, The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission had issued warning against weight loss scams such as these.

"Scammers are experts at preying upon people's vulnerabilities and try to take advantage of people's good intentions to improve their health in the New Year. Unfortunately if you fall for this scam, the only place you will feel lighter is your wallet," ACCC Deputy Chair Dr Michael Schaper said.

Weight loss scams promised magical results through off-putting diet, revolutionary exercise, a 'fat-busting' device or breakthrough pills, patches or creams.

These scams are usually advertised online or through email campaigns with tempting claims of losing 30 kilos in 30 days or losing weight while sleeping. They contain fake pictures of before and after images of bogus models.

"These scams suggest that you can achieve amazing results without having to do any extra exercise or even modify your diet. They lack any scientific evidence or demonstrated links between the program, food, supplement, gadget or process being promoted - and the result," Dr Schaper warned.