The FDA is taking some steps to help ensure that weight loss pills are safe.  We aren't quite out of the woods yet, and we won't be until the FDA is allowed to test and scrutinize ALL weight loss products BEFORE they hit the shelves, but at least we're headed in the right direction.  As you know, under current laws and regulations, the FDA cannot regulate anything labled as a dietary supplement, which allows for some gray area in the marketing of these type of products.

What they CAN regulate, however, is when some unscrupulous manufacturer uses known prescription drugs as ingredients in their pills and potions.This is going to lead to big big trouble for the bad guys.  I still think that the government needs to get off it's duff and follow the lead of some other countries, like (YIKES) Canada, and help ensure that those of us who aren't chemists can still be confident that the items we buy at the store aren't going to hurt us.