On March 27, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned consumers not to purchase or consume Total Body Formula in the flavors of tropical and peach nectar or Total Body Mega Formula in the orange/tangerine flavor because they might cause severe adverse reactions.

Now, the FDA, after an analysis conducted with the help of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Association of Poison Control Centers, says the three flavors, manufactured and distributed nationally by Total Body Essential Nutrition in Atlanta, contain dangerously high amounts of the mineral selenium. The quantity the FDA warns of is 200 times higher than the amount listed on the products’ labels.

The company has already recalled the products, available in 8-ounce and 32-ounce plastic bottles. People consuming them may develop adverse reactions, including nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, joint pain and fatigue, within ten days of ingestion. The symptoms can be followed by hair loss, nail brittleness and neurological abnormalities (such as numbness and other odd sensations in the hands, arms, legs or feet), as well as kidney and liver dysfunction.

People having these products in their home are strongly advised to place them in garbage receptacles outside the home.

There have been 91 adverse reactions reported as of April 11, 2008, coming from states including Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, as well as Virginia.

The recalled products have also been distributed in Alabama, California, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio and Texas.