DNP: Urgent health warning from FSS

Food Standards Scotland (FSS) issues an urgent warning against the highly toxic substance found in some diet pills known as DNP. It is not safe for human consumption, yet continues to be unlawfully marketed as a ‘fat burner’.

About DNP

DNP is an industrial chemical which is being marketed and sold on the internet as a fat-burning agent, in tablet, capsule, powder and liquid forms. DNP products are marketed to those who want to lose weight, and to the bodybuilding community, as a quick way of burning fat by speeding up the metabolism. But this can result in a dangerously fast metabolic rate. 

DNP is the chemical 2, 4-dinitrophenol, but is also known as Dinosan, Dinitra, Dnoc, Solfo Black, Nitrophen, Aldifen and Chemox. Products containing DNP commonly use statements such as containing ‘100% caffeine’, along with additional claims like ‘burns fat’, or ‘boosts muscle growth’.

Consumption of DNP can lead to acute poisoning, with side effects including dehydration, nausea, vomiting, restlessness, flushed skin, excessive sweating, dizziness, headaches, rapid breathing and rapid or irregular heartbeat. In some cases it can result in coma or death. FSS urgently warns the public not to take any products containing DNP as it is not fit for human consumption.

Anyone who believes they may have taken DNP should seek medical advice immediately.