The NSW Food Authority has issued urgent advice to consumers not to consume plant seeds marketed as slimming products under the labels ‘The Latin Seed’ and
‘Slim Seed.’

DNA testing showed the product was not the Aleurites moluccana species (commonly known as Candle Nut) as declared on the product label, but the highly toxic Thevetia neriifolia or Thevetia peruviana otherwise known as Yellow oleander.

The Authority has received medical advice that Yellow oleander contains cardiac (digoxin-like) glycosides which can be highly toxic to the heart. Consequently the
Authority has advised the distributors of these products that further sale should be discontinued and that the products be withdrawn from sale.

Yellow oleander is listed in Schedule 1 of Standard 1.4.4 – Prohibited and Restricted Plants and Fungi of the Food Standards Code.

The Latin Seed product is marketed in Australia on the Internet, broadcast and print media and is also available for sale in some health food stores.

Consumers who have purchased the product are advised not to consume the product and to dispose of it or return it to the place of purchase.

Anyone concerned with potential health effects of these products should seek medical advice.