The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) is recalling all Falcon Labs sports supplements due to the presence of illegal steroids and stimulants that pose a serious health risk to consumers.

Furthermore, the location of the production site cannot be determined and traceability of the products is unknown.

The FSAI describes these products as “unfit for human consumption”.

Retailers, distributors and online sellers are instructed to remove these products from sale, effective immediately.

The Health Service Executive’s environmental health officers (EHOs), working on behalf of the FSAI, will be inspecting businesses to ensure that any Falcon Labs products found are seized, removed and detained.

FSAI officers took possession of Falcon Labs products from a range of food supplements and sports nutrition shops, gyms and online suppliers across Ireland.

The products were sent to the State Laboratory for official testing for a range of illegal steroids and stimulants.

The results show that 1,3-Dimethylamylamine (1,3-DMAA), was detected in Falcon Labs Oxyburn Pro and SuperClen products. In addition, 1,3-DMAA was not declared as an ingredient on any of the products.

The FSAI warns that 1,3-DMAA is a stimulant that can cause acute temporary increase in blood pressure, which may lead to shortness of breath, tightening of the chest and the risk of heart attack or cerebral haemorrhage.

Methasterone, the anabolic-androgenic steroid which has been associated with a number of cases of liver injury, was detected in Falcon Labs SuperDrive range.

It has never been authorised as a medicine, but has been found previously on the black market under the name Superdrol.

Neither substance is permitted in food.

Chief Executive of the FSAI, Dr Pamela Byrne said any consumer who has taken these products and may be feeling unwell should seek immediate medical advice.

“These products are likely to contain illegal steroids and stimulants that are not safe for consumption and anyone taking them is taking a serious risk of jeopardising their health.  We know from our investigation that the business address printed on the product label and on supplier invoices is not genuine.  We are asking consumers who purchased any of these products to tell us where they purchased them, so that we can ensure all stock is removed from sale.”

The FSAI requests for anyone with information on who the supplier of Falcon Labs products is to come forward and they can do so confidentially by emailing foodincidents@fsai.ie.

“This recall also serves as a reminder to all athletes using food supplements, in particular those intending to gain muscle or burn fat, that they should be satisfied with the reliability and integrity of the source of the products they are consuming”, added Dr Byrne.