Beware geranium extracts, DAFF tells importers

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has issued an Imported Food Notice about sports supplements containing DMAA and non-permitted additives. DAFF said that some imported products are not compliant with the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.

According to DAFF, 1,3-dimethylamylamine - better known as DMAA - is sometimes listed as geranium oil extract or geranamine on labels, but is not in fact a component of geranium oil or extracts.

The status of DMAA will be discussed by the Advisory Committee on Medicines Scheduling, which is advising the Department of Health and Ageing on whether DMAA should be listed as a prohibited substance.

The DAFF notice also said that some plants and fungi (including synthetic versions) are prohibited or restricted, as well as certain substances such as citraline and caffeine, which are not permitted in formulated supplementary sports foods. Limits also apply to some substances, such as β-alanine, which is limited to 1200 mg per one-day quantity.

DAFF advises importers of formulated supplementary sports foods to take action to ensure the foods comply with the code.

Products containing any of the following should not be imported or, if already distributed, be removed from sale:

• DMAA (1,3-dimethylamylamine or methylhexamine, forthane or 4-methyl-2-amino-4-methylhexane)
• Prohibited botanicals
• Prohibited substances (such as citrulline and caffeine)
• Substances that are present in levels that are not permitted (such as β-alanine in excess of 1200 mg per one-day quantity)

Products with geranium references in the ingredients - such as geranium oil, geranium extract, geranium root or geranaburn - have been found to contain DMAA during testing by the NSW Food Authority. DAFF advises importers that they must ensure DMAA is not present in products that have references to geranium extracts.

Several brands have recently tested positive for DMAA: 3-D Explosion, Noxpump, Beta-Cret, PreSurge, 1MR, Cyroshock, Jack3D, Mesomorph, Neurocore, Oxyelite powder and Hemo Rage Black.

Food Standards Australia New Zealand has issued a consumer warning on this issue.