TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Australian supplement giant Blackmores has addressed allegations that its products contain toxins. Blackmores is facing a potential lawsuit after a young father claimed to have suffered severe injuries from regularly consuming the company's supplements.
Dominic Noonan-O'Keeffe said that he had taken several over-the-counter Blackmores supplements to improve his health before becoming a father. As reported by ABC News, one of the magnesium products he consumed contained 29 times the recommended daily intake of vitamin B6. This, according to a May statement from the law firm Polaris Lawyers, resulted in the product poisoning his body.
He experienced severe fatigue, intense headaches, and hypersensitivity to his environment. His symptoms worsened, with O'Keeffe suffering from muscle spasms, neuralgia, a pounding heart, visual disturbances, and loss of sensation throughout his body.
Hundreds of others claim to have experienced similar issues, and Blackmores potentially faces a class-action lawsuit in Australia.
In response to such concerns, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in Australia has moved to correct the use of over-the-counter supplements. The TGA's interim decision states that products with a daily dose exceeding 50 mg, including those with vitamin B6, will be classified as 'Pharmacist Only Medicine.'
A Blackmores spokesperson, who was not named, stated they were aware of the proposed TGA changes and emphasized Blackmores' commitment to the highest product quality standards and consumer safety.
"All our products, including those containing Vitamin B6, are developed in strict accordance with the regulatory requirements of the TGA," the spokesperson said, as reported by 7news.com.au.
"This includes compliance with maximum permitted daily doses and the inclusion of mandated warning statements. We acknowledge the interim decision issued by the TGA, and we will ensure full compliance with its final determination," the Blackmores spokesperson added.
Nick Mann, the founder and head of the Melbourne law firm Polaris Lawyers, reported that 600 Australians have now contacted the firm. They claimed to have sustained long-term injuries from B6 consumed through over-the-counter supplements.
While B6 is an essential vitamin vital for brain, nervous system, immune system, hormone regulation, and metabolism, and can be found naturally in food, it can become toxic if consumed in excess. Ingesting unsafe amounts can lead to nerve damage, migraines, heart palpitations, and burning sensations or numbness throughout the body.
Editor's Choice: Danantara to Oversee Rp618 Trillion in Strategic Downstream Projects
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Country with the Most Lakes: Top 10 Ranking Revealed
6 hari lalu
Canada is the country with the most lakes worldwide, home to around 879,000. Learn which other countries, also ranks high in this watery list.
10 Countries with the Most Time Zones, France on Top
17 hari lalu
The countries with the most time zones spread out widely from Europe to the borders of Australia, factored by multiple fascinating reasons.
Indonesia's Sugiono Scheduled to Attend ASEAN Ministerial Meetings in Malaysia
18 hari lalu
Foreign Minister Sugiono is scheduled to attend 19 diplomatic meetings as part of the 58th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) and Post Ministerial Conference (PMC) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 8-11, 2025.
Australia's First Orbital Rocket Launch Delayed Again
18 hari lalu
The inaugural launch will be the first test of the plan for several launches as part of the rocket system certification process.
Australian Ambassador Invites Investors to Explore Opportunities in Batam
21 hari lalu
The Australian Embassy visited Batam City to present investment opportunities to Australian investors.
Indonesia Quarantines 1,600 Australian Dairy Cattle to Ensure Disease-Free Status
22 hari lalu
The quarantine period of the imported dairy cows from Australia will conclude only when a quarantine veterinarian declares the cows in good health.
Artificial Photosynthesis Can Power the Clean Energy Transition
22 hari lalu
Nature holds the original patent for storing light energy in molecules more successfully than in battery technologies.
10 Best Places to Live in the World, Three From Australia
25 hari lalu
Choosing the city to live in is never a one-size-fits-all decision, but the best places highlighted by the EIU offer a compelling starting point.
AirAsia Launches Direct Bali-Adelaide Flights, Boosting Indonesia-Australia Connectivity
25 hari lalu
This new route of Bali-Adelaide marks the fourth Australian destination served by Indonesia AirAsia.
Today's Top 3 News: Australian Journalist Wins Wrongful Dismissal Case Over Gaza Post
25 hari lalu
Here is the list of the top 3 news on Tempo English today.
