Deadly diet drug DNP can kill

DNP (2,4-dinitrophenol) is an industrial chemical used in pesticides and explosives which is unfit for human consumption but sold illegally via the internet for weight loss.  It acts as a 'fat burner' by raising the metabolism to dangerous levels and has contributed to a significant number of deaths, as well as instances of serious harm to health, in the UK.

Despite its dangers, DNP has gained in popularity amongst the fitness and bodybuilding communities. It has also been sold to consumers living with eating disorders or who have body image concerns.

BBC 1's Victoria Derbyshire programme raised awareness of DNP today and interviewed the father of a young woman who died after taking the drug, along with RPS President Ash Soni and the Food Standards Agency.  The FSA are reviving a social media campaign #DNPkills and RPS will be supporting this and any measure to further restrict supplies of DNP.