CHARLOTTE, N.C. — People from throughout the nation are contacting Channel 9 saying they misplaced their jobs after consuming a tea promoted for well being advantages brought on them to fail office drug checks.
Eyewitness News anchor Allison Latos broke the nationwide story final month and continues to listen to from ladies who declare the Raspberry Lemonade Iaso Tea from an organization known as Total Life Changes (TLC) is the explanation they failed drug checks.
Eleven folks from seven states, together with New York, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Texas, Florida and Alabama, have reached out to Channel 9 to share their expertise.
[ PAST COVERAGE: Women claim weight loss tea led to failed drug tests ]
Brittany Caldwell spent seven years as a faculty bus driver for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. She stated it was a job she actually loved.
About a 12 months in the past, she noticed adverts on social media for TLC’s Raspberry Lemonade Iaso Tea. Two weeks after she began consuming it, Caldwell stated she failed a random drug check required by CMS. She misplaced her license and her job.
Tammy Drummond, who works at a dump truck driver, noticed the earlier information studies. She stated she had been consuming the tea for weight reduction for practically a 12 months and when she went to use for a second job, she failed the drug check.
“I used to be baffled. I used to be actually baffled,” she stated. “I’m considering it is a joke. Then, I’m feeling embarrassed.”
Kim Agnew labored for Delta Airlines, managing airplane upkeep information. She was additionally a distributor for TLC. She admits, she used to advocate the Raspberry Lemonade Iaso Tea till she failed a drug check required by the airline and misplaced her job.
“I stated, ‘Ma’am, I don’t smoke.’”
Each of the ladies have stated that they don’t smoke marijuana.
“That is the one factor it may have been was the tea,” Caldwell stated.
The package deal label states there’s 0.0% THC, which is the lively ingredient in marijuana that produces a excessive.
Channel 9 had samples examined at a lab in Durham. The outcomes confirmed hint quantities of THC, which in keeping with scientists is sufficient to trigger a failed drug check.
[ PAST COVERAGE: More women claim weight loss tea led to failed drug tests ]
Latos contacted officers on the Food and Drug Administration to ask if any claims involving TLC had been being investigated. Agency officers wouldn’t affirm or deny any investigation.
Neither would officers with the Federal Trade Commission, however they did inform Latos that underneath the FTC Act, promoting and product labeling should be truthful, non-deceptive and backed up by competent and dependable scientific proof.
Channel 9 additionally contacted the Attorney General in Michigan, the place Total Life Changes is headquartered. A consultant advised Latos that so as to open an investigation, the AG wants formal complaints from prospects. So far, nobody has taken that step.
But lawsuits are increasing in opposition to the corporate.
Currently, there are a number of class motion lawsuits in opposition to Total Life Changes over the tea and failed drug checks. One lawyer advised Channel 9 that she now represents greater than a dozen folks.
Latos contacted TLC for remark and their spokesperson despatched this assertion:
“At TLC, we care deeply about our prospects and are dedicated to their well-being. We are within the strategy of studying extra concerning the related info however should not able to report extra absolutely right now. The Iaso Raspberry Tea product stays accessible on the market within the United States.”
Drummond stated she’d wish to see all the ladies get their jobs again and get an apology.
Caldwell, who now works in Human Resources, needs her story to be a lesson for others.
“Be cautious what you’re taking, after all. It can come again and hang-out you,” she stated.
(WATCH: Women declare weight reduction tea led to failed drug checks)
