August 17, 2006: Federal Appeals Court Reinstates FDA Ephedra Ban

The federal appeals court has made its decision to reinstate a US Food and Drug Administration ban on dietary supplements with ephedra in 2004. The US Court of Appeals for the 10^th Circuit has decided that FDA hasd “correctly followed the congressional directive to analyze the risks and benefits of EDS or ephedrinealkaloid dietary supplements in determining that there is no dosage level of EDS acceptable for the market.”

April 12, 2004: Ephedra Ban Upheld, Takes Effect Nationwide

The US Food and Drug Administration has announced the ban on the sale of all dietary supplements using ephedra as its main ingredient will take effect on April 12, 2004, which is in adherence to the final rule which it announced last February 6, 2004. A federal judge in New Jersey approved the ban in spite of the request of NVE Pharmaceuticals, manufacturer of ephedra, to stop the implementation of the ban pending more scientific research be made.

March 9, 2004: Diet Pill Company Sues US Government Over the Ephedra Ban

NVE Pharmaceuticals, the producer of a dietary supplement with ephedra as its main ingredient, has filed a legal request to postpone the FDA-imposed ban on all dietary supplements using ephedra as ingredient. The company claimed that ephedra, when it is used and taken as directed, was safe to help dieters to lose weight.

February 6, 2004: FDA Bans All Ephedra-Containing Dietary Supplements

The US Food and Drug Administration brought a final ruling that banned the sale of all the dietary supplements that were using ephedra as its main ingredient. According to FDA, the use of ephedra in the form of supplements posed high risks to users. The countrywide ban was made effective on April 12, 2004, which was 60 days after the publication of the ruling.

December 30, 2003: FDA Urges Consumers to Stop Use of Ephera Products

US FDA has alerted the general public that dietary supplement with ephedra as its main active ingredient, must not be used, because of its high risks of illnesses or injury such as increased high blood pressure and its target was on the circulatory system which can lead to stroke and heart problems.

July 16, 2003: MLB Pitcher’s Widow Files $600M Ephedra Suit

Kiley Bechler, the widow of a Major League Baseball pitcher has filed a $600 million wrongful death legal case against the producer of a dietary supplement that used ephedra as ingredient. She said that the supplement  had caused the death of her husband from heats stroke during a team practice in Florida.