Vitamin Manufacturer Indicted

DENVER--On Oct. 22, a federal grand jury indicted The Chemins Co. Inc. and its president, James Cameron, on 14 counts of conspiracy, violating federal food and drug laws, making false statements and obstructing a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigation. The grand jury alleged that the company and its president were manufacturing a product that contained potentially dangerous pharmaceutical-grade drugs--drugs that were not listed on the label of the product.

The product, Formula One, was touted as an "all-natural nutritional supplement. It was found to contain pharmaceutical-grade ephedrine and caffeine. The drugs were found during an investigation into the death of a Texas woman; her 1994 death was allegedly linked to use of the product.

The company said the product had been off the market for several years, and denied the allegations, saying they would "vigorously defend themselves" against the charges. If convicted, Cameron, 69, would face 68 years in prison and be fined millions of dollars.