Secret Fat Burner, a weight-loss product that's available locally online, recently caused a stir after it was discovered that it contains the illegal ingredient sibutramine, as well as other substances that were not disclosed on the label.
Sibutramine was banned in South Africa and Europe in 2010, after a study of 10,000 people showed that this appetite suppressant was linked to a higher risk of heart attacks, strokes and death.
In the wake of this scandal, we look at some other dodgy diets and weight-loss products that have done the rounds over the years:
THE TONGUE PATCH
What is it? A patch is stitched to the tongue of the dieter to make the consumption of solid food painful. Invented by a plastic surgeon in America, it's been criticised as being a modern version of wiring mouths shut.
THE TAPEWORM PILL
What is it? The original bad idea, tapeworm eggs or larvae were encapsulated in pill form. Once in your digestive system the tapeworm hatches and attaches itself to your intestine, it begins to feed off your body's nutrients and grows by reproducing proglottids, its chain-like body segments.