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RPS reiterates call for ban on dangerous DNP

Commenting on the news that the Home Office will include DNP (2,4-Dinitrophenol) in the 1972 Poisons Act, President of RPS Professor Claire Anderson said:

“DNP is unfit for human consumption and its main use is in the manufacture of explosives and pesticides. It is sold by unscrupulous dealers to vulnerable individuals wanting to lose weight but has a dangerous effect on the metabolism and has led to 32 deaths since 2007 in those taking it as a ‘diet drug’.

“Including DNP in the Poisons Act is a positive move as it will restrict its availability, but what’s really needed is an outright ban to reduce the risk to the public. Australia has already classified DNP as a substance of such a danger to health as to warrant prohibition of sale and we’d like the UK to follow suit.

“We are concerned that DNP is still in circulation and want to see a firm commitment to prosecuting those who make profits from it. We also call on social media companies to remove content promoting or selling DNP to further reduce harm.”

Watch RPS speak out against DNP on ITV News and in The Sun and The Independent.

Read more RPS News

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