Overview
- The Organización de Consumidores y Usuarios (OCU) alerted consumers on Wednesday after finding dozens of adhesive 'slimming' patches sold on marketplaces and social media that promise rapid weight loss without evidence.
- Label analyses show the products list plant extracts and cosmetic ingredients rather than pharmaceutical compounds, and there is no scientific proof that topical application causes systemic weight loss.
- OCU has formally reported the products to the Agencia Española de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios (AEMPS) under Real Decreto 1907/1996 for making forbidden health and weight-loss claims.
- The group warned that the patches can cause skin irritation, allergies and other cutaneous reactions and that misleading 'natural' marketing can hide these risks.
- Amazon has removed some listings after OCU's warnings but similar offers persist on other platforms and social networks, a trend that OCU links to demand generated by popular injectable obesity drugs and calls for stronger online controls and public education.