Should driver Kenny Wallace and Bill Davis Racing be worried about the federal Department of Health and Human Services’ recent warning that users of ephedra, the controversial diet-supplement ingredient, face “potentially serious risks.”? “They told me to go racing, you know?” Wallace said of his sponsor. “We have a two-year contract, this year and next year, and they have a lot of other products besides ephedra products. They have an ephedra-free product, and they’re coming out with a new line of power bars. Really, any more than that, that’s pretty much all I know. All I know is what anybody else would know.” In the sports world, ephedra is under fire because of its association with the deaths of two professional athletes, Minnesota Vikings tackle Korey Stringer (fall 2001), and Baltimore Orioles pitcher Steve Bechler (Feb. 17, 2003). Both were believed to be taking a product [supposedly NOT Stacker 2] containing ephedra when they collapsed during workouts and later died. The Department of Health and Human Services issued its warning approximately two weeks after Bechler’s death, and the nutritional supplement industry awaits further backlash that could include a congressional investigation of the substance. Stacker 2 is owned by NVE Pharmaceuticals, which manufactures nutritional, supplement-type products, according to Karen L. Finocchio, vice-president for marketing. Advertised — and memorably, by Wallace — as a fat burner, Stacker 2 comes with ephedra, in “light” form, and ephedra-free. If there’s a day when it must be sold only ephedra-free, Finocchio says the company will do just fine. “We’re real confident,” Finocchio said. “We’ve had no problems. People are real receptive. They know the hard work we put behind our product.” NVE plans to introduce a line of ephedra-free meal replacement products (protein bars, drinks, etc.) in four to six weeks, said Finocchio, adding that the company has promoted Stacker 2, including the ephedra-free form, in NASCAR for three to four years, and in the World Wrestling Entertainment arena for five years. Finocchio said company revenues stream from multiple products, not just Stacker 2, therefore any future federal ban won’t affect NVE’s ability to back Wallace. “I still believe strongly — and we also believe in the industry — it’s safe if taken as directed,” Finocchio said of ephedra. “I mean, of course you would consult your physician before you take anything, herbal or otherwise. And our label is a peel-back label. We go to the expense of having that so that we can have every possible scenario on the label.” Wallace doesn’t use Stacker 2. Not because of any discomfort, but because he has no fat-burning problems. Nor does he need to boost his metabolism. The commercials — spoofs starring Wallace, fellow Winston Cup drivers Elliott Sadler, Tony Stewart, Busch series driver Scott Wimmer, and WWE wrestler Paul Wright (a.k.a. The Big Show) — are a staple of Stacker 2’s promotion. NVE began as Wallace’s Busch sponsor and transitioned to Cup with him this season.(full story at CNNSI )(3-13-2003)
