Urgent consumer alert: Counterfeit herbal energy product discovered from Green Lumber Holding

On August 28, 2025, Green Lumber Holding, LLC, a California-based company, issued a critical consumer alert after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) discovered counterfeit versions of its energy enhancement supplement, Green Lumber. The counterfeit products were found to contain tadalafil, a prescription drug for erectile dysfunction, posing significant health risks to consumers. The alert, published by the FDA on August 29, 2025, urges consumers to check the authenticity of their purchased products and discontinue use if necessary. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about product safety in the supplement industry and the importance of rigorous testing and distribution protocols.

Key points

• Green Lumber Holding, LLC, released a consumer alert for counterfeit versions of its energy supplement, Green Lumber.
• Counterfeit products contain tadalafil, a prescription drug, which can cause dangerous side effects when taken with certain medications.
• Consumers should verify the lot number on their product packaging and report any issues to Green Lumber or the FDA.
• The company has terminated the employee responsible and strengthened its internal safeguards.
• The FDA is working with Green Lumber and law enforcement to address the issue and protect consumers.

Counterfeit products identified

The FDA’s testing revealed that counterfeit versions of Green Lumber contained tadalafil, a prescription medication for erectile dysfunction. Tadalafil is not an ingredient in any authentic Green Lumber product. Brett Hales, president of Green Lumber, stated, “Consumer safety is our number one priority.” The company conducted an internal investigation following the FDA’s findings, which led to the discovery that a company employee had diverted legitimate packaging and customer information to distribute counterfeit, adulterated products. The employee has since been terminated.

How to identify legitimate green lumber products

To ensure the authenticity of their products, consumers should check the packaging for the following details:

• Lot number: Authentic Green Lumber products display the lot number LOTGLU13101b1EXP0926.
• Packaging differences: The FDA provided an image comparing genuine and counterfeit blister packs to help consumers identify the differences.

Health risks of counterfeit products

The presence of tadalafil in the counterfeit supplements poses significant health risks, especially for individuals who take nitrates or other prescription drugs for heart disease, blood pressure, or other conditions. The combination can lead to dangerously low blood pressure and other severe side effects. The FDA urges consumers to discontinue use of any product not bearing the correct lot number and to seek prompt medical care if they experience unexpected side effects.

What consumers should do

• Check packaging: Verify that the lot number LOTGLU13101b1EXP0926 is displayed on the product.
• Discontinue use: Immediately stop using any product that does not bear this lot number.
• Report issues: Contact Green Lumber at [phone/email] and report the issue to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting Program.
• Seek medical care: If you experience unexpected side effects, seek medical attention promptly.

Company response and future actions

Green Lumber has taken immediate action to address the issue, including terminating the employee responsible and implementing enhanced safeguards to prevent future incidents. Brett Hales emphasized, “We acted swiftly after FDA’s testing identified tadalafil in a product labeled as ours. Our investigation revealed that an employee had been diverting our packaging and customer channels to sell counterfeit goods. That individual has been terminated, and we have strengthened our safeguards to protect customers and ensure this does not happen again.”

Strengthening consumer trust

The alert from Green Lumber Holding and the FDA underscores the ongoing challenges in ensuring the safety and authenticity of dietary supplements. This incident highlights the importance of robust testing, transparent distribution channels and consumer vigilance. As the supplement industry continues to grow, companies must prioritize consumer safety and work collaboratively with regulatory agencies to maintain the trust and well-being of their customers. The proactive steps taken by Green Lumber serve as a model for how companies can respond effectively to protect public health.

Sources for this article include:

TheEpochTimes.com

FDA.gov

GreenLumber.com