Annabel Hecht

Never say “never again” is something you learn in FDA. Worthless or dangerous products have an annoying way of cropping up time after time. Even drugs thought to have been banned forever have come back from the dusty pages of history to afflict an unsuspecting public. The chemical 2,4-dinitrophenol is a case in point. Described in a chemical dictionary as “highly toxic” and a “severe explosion hazard when dry,” this substance has been used in dyes, wood preservatives, weedkillers, photographic developers, explosives and, astonishingly, in weight-reducing products for human use. Before 1938 it was legal under federal law to sell dinitrophenol (as it was commonly called) as a diet potion. At that time, drug makers were not required to prove that their products were safe …

Aloe vera is a common houseplant that has a long and exotic history. In recent years, the plant and its juices have become big business in the do-it-yourself health field, as promoters around the country are selling aloe vera products with implied claims that they can cure or alleviate a variety of human complaints. As any avid crossword puzzle fan knows, “aloe” is a four-letter word meaning “medical plant.” Scientifically and commonly known as aloe vera, that medical plant has a centuries-old reputation as an aid to beauty and a handy first-aid treatment for cuts and burns. Aloe vera has been used for many years as an ingredient in cosmetics such as face and hand creams, lotions, and skin moisturizers. Advertisements for these products often …