Hyrdroxycut is advertised as made from natural ingredients and is available in grocery stores and pharmacies. At least 9 million bottles were sold last year, the FDA said. The FDA said that the Canadian maker of the dietary supplement has agreed to recall 14 Hydroxycut products.

Food and Drug Administration officials said that the manufacturer of Hydroxycut has launched a nationwide recall of the dietary supplement, used by people trying to lose weight and by body builders to sharpen their muscles.

Hydroxycut is advertised as made from natural ingredients. It has been frequently advertised in major women's magazines, as well as on TV, along with similar products by other manufacturers, such as TrimSpa, Xenadrine EFX, Metabolife, and many other brands.

Since the main ingredient of Hydroxycut - hydroxycitrate acid - is believed to be a carb-blocker, this product could be described as a "carb blocker," with some incidental ingredients added to help suppress appetite and speed up metabolism. The effectiveness of this product has not been scientifically proven.  In addition, studies have not proven the long term safety of unregulated herbal supplements or their role, if any, in achieving weight loss. 

Dietary supplements are not as tightly regulated by the government as medications. Manufacturers don't need FDA approval ahead of time before marketing their products.