URGENT WARNING: ‘Özlex Tea’ Banned in Netherlands Over Dangerous Heart Risks

Utrecht – The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) has issued a code-red warning for a popular product sold extensively within the expat and Dutch communities: Özlex Tea.

Marketed on social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Marktplaats as a “natural miracle” for weight loss, the product has been found to contain Sibutramine—a dangerous, banned pharmaceutical substance that can cause heart attacks and strokes. Authorities are urging consumers to stop using it immediately.

This is not just a labeling error; it is a serious health threat. The Dutch Daily dives deep into why this “herbal” tea is actually a chemical cocktail and what you should do if you have consumed it.

Table of Contents

• The NVWA Discovery: Hidden Poison
• What is Sibutramine? (And Why It Was Banned)
• The Symptoms: Is Your Body Reacting?
• The Social Media Trap: TikTok vs. Reality
• Is Buying or Selling It Illegal?
• What To Do If You Have This Tea
• Dutch Learning Corner

The NVWA Discovery: Hidden Poison

The investigation began after multiple reports of side effects reached the NVWA. Upon laboratory analysis, the “natural ingredients” list on the packaging of Özlex Tea proved to be a lie.

The tea was found to contain significant amounts of Sibutramine. Crucially, this active ingredient is not listed on the label. Consumers believe they are drinking a blend of innocent herbs to boost metabolism, while in reality, they are unknowingly dosing themselves with a potent, unregulated appetite suppressant.

“This is a deceptive and dangerous practice,” an NVWA spokesperson stated. “Consumers cannot make an informed choice because the seller is hiding the true nature of the product.”

What is Sibutramine? (And Why It Was Banned)

To understand the gravity of this warning, one must look at the history of Sibutramine.

Sibutramine was once a prescription medicine used to treat severe obesity (sold under names like Reductil). However, it was banned in the European Union in 2010. Why? Because the European Medicines Agency (EMA) concluded that the risks far outweighed the benefits.

The Deadly Side Effects:
Sibutramine works by altering neurotransmitters in the brain, but it also acts as a stimulant on the cardiovascular system. Clinical trials showed it significantly increased the risk of:

• Non-fatal Heart Attacks
• Strokes (CVA)
• Cardiac Arrest

Since 2010, it has been illegal to sell or prescribe in the Netherlands. Finding it in a “tea” sold on Facebook is a criminal violation of food safety laws.

The Symptoms: Is Your Body Reacting?

If you have been drinking Özlex Tea, you might have attributed certain feelings to “the detox working.” In reality, these are signs of drug toxicity.

The Social Media Trap: TikTok vs. Reality

The sale of Özlex Tea highlights a growing problem in the Netherlands: the “Shadow Market” of Supplements.

These products are rarely sold in legitimate stores like Etos or Kruidvat. Instead, they thrive on:

• TikTok & Instagram Reels: Influencers show dramatic “before and after” photos, claiming the tea melts fat without exercise.
• Marktplaats & Facebook Marketplace: Sold by individuals who may not even know they are trafficking a banned substance.
• “Herbal” Branding: The packaging often uses green colors, leaf icons, and words like “Detox,” “Organic,” and “Natural” to fool the consumer.

The Reality Check: If a tea promises to make you lose 5kg in a week without diet or exercise, it is almost certainly laced with laxatives, diuretics, or banned stimulants like Sibutramine.

Is Buying or Selling It Illegal?

For Sellers: Yes. Selling a food product containing a banned medicinal substance is a crime. The NVWA can issue heavy fines to sellers, shut down webshops, and coordinate with the police.

For Buyers: Possession for personal use is generally not prosecuted, but you have zero consumer protection. If the tea sends you to the hospital, you cannot sue a “ghost seller” on Instagram easily.

What To Do If You Have This Tea

The NVWA is clear: Do not drink another drop.

1. Stop Immediately: Throw the product away. Do not finish the box.
2. Monitor Your Health: If you experience chest pain, severe headaches, or a racing heart, contact your GP (Huisarts) immediately and mention “Sibutramine.”
3. Report It: If you see this product being sold online, report the seller to the platform (Instagram/Marktplaats) and file a report with the NVWA via their website.

Dutch Learning Corner