A Salt Lake resident joined hundreds of other plaintiffs suing a Japanese manufacturer of products containing a substance they say is linked to illnesses and deaths.
According to the suit filed Monday in U.S. District Court, General Nutrition Corp. marketed and sold products containing L-tryptophan, a genetically engineered amino acid pill taken in the late 1980s to combat insomnia, depression, premenstrual syndrome and weight problems.During 1989, Margaret Helen Ottley McCloy purchased products containing L-tryptophan from General Nutrition, which caused her to develop a blood disorder called the eosinophilia myalgia syndrome, the suit says. Subsequently, McCloy has suffered swelling, pain and soreness in her joints and muscles, fatigue, additional nervous system disorders and pain and suffering. She may face total disability in the future, the suit says.
In November 1991, the Food and Drug Administration denied a petition that tried to stop the FDA from approving genetically engineered products, despite the 1,500 people who became ill. Several dozen also died after taking L-tryptophan, The Associated Press reported in 1991.
The Japanese manufacturer of L-tryptophan, Showa Denko, manufactured and distributed at least some of the product McCloy took, the suit says. It also says she was unaware of any product defect or danger and that the manufacturer and General Nutrition "warranted that the L-tryptophan was merchantable, fit, safe and suitable for human consumption."
McCloy is suing for more than $50,000 for general damages. The suit was filed by the Salt Lake law firm of Fabian & Clendenin.