Deadly fat-burning drug not fit for humans allegedly sold by Wigton firm

A north Cumbria-based company has been taken to court accused of providing customers with a potentially deadly fat-burning drug.

Enhanced Athlete Europe Limited, which is registered at an address at Croft Court, Wigton, faces one allegation. The charge has been brought through an Allerdale Council prosecution.

The company, said to have also operated a separate "distribution unit" at Station Road in Wigton, is alleged to have placed an "unsafe food product" on to the market in contravention of the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013.

The product in question is 2,4-dinitrophenol - also referred to as DNP. This is an industrial chemical that has become popular among people wanting to lose weight, including bodybuilders.

It is a substance which can be lawfully sold as a fertiliser, but is illegal for human consumption which, according to the Foods Standards Agency, "can and has been fatal".

Nobody was present to represent Enhanced Athlete Europe Limited when the case came before a judge at Carlisle Crown Court for a short hearing.

However, a "not guilty" plea was entered on behalf of the firm to the charge.

It alleges that the "unsafe food product" was placed on to the market "intending, or with a reasonable expectation, that said product was for human consumption".

It is alleged this was done by the company between July 20 and September 6 last year.

A timetable for the progression of the case was set, and a date for a trial identified. This is due to start at the crown court on February 4.

It is estimated the trial will last four to five days.

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