Texas firm recalls RAPTURE pre-workout powder after FDA finds banned stimulant DMAA
Leader Formulas of Texas has recalled one lot of RAPTURE Preworkout after FDA testing found DMAA, an illegal stimulant that can raise blood pressure and cause heart problems. No adverse events have been reported.
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The story, neutrally told
Mixed · 2Leader Formulas, a Texas sports supplement company, is recalling one lot of its RAPTURE Preworkout powder after the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found it contained the illegal stimulant 1,3-dimethylamylamine, known as DMAA. New York PostR “One lot of the powder is being recalled by their manufacturer, Leader Formulas, a sports supplement company based in Texas.” Read at New York Post ↗ The IndependentLC “A Texas company selling pre-workout products has recalled a powder found to contain an illegal and dangerous stimulant” Read at The Independent ↗ Mixed · 2The affected lot number is 260327-4. It was distributed or sold between January 29, 2025 and May 25, 2026, in three flavors: Rainbow Twist, Electric Lemonade and Berry Mojito. New York PostR “The affected RAPTURE Preworkout lot number is 260327-4 and was distributed between January 29, 2025 and May 25, 2026.” Read at New York Post ↗ The IndependentLC “Each flavor is packaged in 450g plastic containers, includes the lot number 260327-4 and was sold from January 29, 2025, through May 25, 2026.” Read at The Independent ↗ Mixed · 2The Independent says the powder was sold online and in stores. The New York Post describes round plastic containers with red and black lettering and a rhinoceros-printed seal, and lists the UPC for Rainbow Twist as 710154236506. The IndependentLC “sold online and in stores between January 2025 and May 2026” Read at The Independent ↗ New York PostR “The product is packaged in round plastic containers with red and black lettering and a rhinoceros-printed seal on top.” Read at New York Post ↗
Mixed · 2The FDA says DMAA narrows blood vessels and arteries, which can raise blood pressure and may cause shortness of breath, arrhythmias, chest tightness and heart attack, as well as seizures and neurological and psychological conditions. New York PostR “This substance narrows blood vessels and arteries, which can raise blood pressure, and may lead to cardiovascular problems” Read at New York Post ↗ The IndependentLC “can spike blood pressure and lead to heart attacks, shortness of breath and tightening of the chest” Read at The Independent ↗ Mixed · 2No adverse events linked to the recall have been reported. Consumers are told to stop using the product and return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. New York PostR “So far, the company hasn’t received any reports of adverse events related to the recall.” Read at New York Post ↗ The IndependentLC “Consumers who have purchased the RAPTURE Preworkout products which are being recalled should stop using the products and return to the place of purchase for a full refund” Read at The Independent ↗ Left · 1According to the Independent, Leader Formulas is notifying distributors and customers by mail and arranging returns, and anyone with problems should contact a doctor and can report them to the FDA's MedWatch program. The outlet said the company had not immediately responded to its request for comment. The IndependentLC “Leader Formulas, LLC is notifying its distributors and customers of the recall by mail and is arranging for return of all recalled products.”“A request for comment from the company was not immediately returned to The Independent.” Read at The Independent ↗
Mixed · 2DMAA was once sold as a nasal decongestant and was withdrawn in the 1980s over side effects. It returned in 2006 as a supplement marketed for weight loss and athletic performance. New York PostR “DMAA was once sold as a medicine for nasal decongestion, but was taken off the pharmaceutical market in the 80s due to its side effects.” Read at New York Post ↗ The IndependentLC “But DMAA saw a resurgence in 2006, marketed for weight loss and fitness, Texas researchers say.” Read at The Independent ↗ Mixed · 2The FDA says there is no reliable science showing DMAA occurs naturally in plants, despite claims that it does. It says DMAA is not a dietary ingredient, so supplements containing it are illegal. New York PostR “the FDA says there isn’t any “reliable science” showing that’s true” Read at New York Post ↗ The IndependentLC ““DMAA is not a dietary ingredient, and DMAA-containing products marketed as dietary supplements are illegal and their marketing violates the law,”” Read at The Independent ↗ Left · 1The Independent links DMAA to the 2012-2013 deaths of several Texas service members and to the 2013 death of London marathon runner Claire Squires. The IndependentLC “The deaths of several Texas service members were linked to DMAA in 2012-2013. So was the death of 30-year-old London marathon runner Claire Squires in 2013.” Read at The Independent ↗
Mixed · 2The outlets differ on the bans. The New York Post says Canada banned DMAA in 2011, and that New Zealand, Brazil, Finland, Sweden and the US did so in 2012 and 2013. The Independent says it was declared illegal in the US in April 2013 and banned in 2012 in the UK, Canada and Australia. New York PostR “the substance was banned in Canada in 2011 and in New Zealand, Brazil, Finland, Sweden and the US in 2012 and 2013.” Read at New York Post ↗ The IndependentLC “DMAA was declared illegal in the U.S. in April 2013. It was banned in 2012 in the U.K., Canada and Australia.” Read at The Independent ↗ Mixed · 2Pre-workout products are supplements, so the FDA does not approve their safety or labeling accuracy before sale. The FDA finds DMAA products in inspections and lets companies recall them voluntarily. The Independent adds that refusal has led to seizures, and that the FDA has sent warning letters since 2012. New York PostR “The agency says it finds it during inspections and gives the company a chance to voluntarily recall the affected products.” Read at New York Post ↗ The IndependentLC “Refusing to comply has led to seizures by the FDA.” Read at The Independent ↗ Right · 1The New York Post adds that combining DMAA with caffeine, a common pre-workout additive, can strain the heart and even cause seizures and death. New York PostR “when caffeine and DMAA are combined, it can dangerously strain the heart and even cause seizures and death.” Read at New York Post ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left1 outlet
- Framing
- The Independent runs a straightforward recall report anchored in the FDA announcement. It adds historical deaths linked to DMAA, including a London marathon runner, and the FDA's enforcement record.
- Emphasis
- Deaths linked to DMAA, the FDA's legal position that DMAA supplements are illegal, how to report problems, and the company not responding to a request for comment.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Leaves out the caffeine-combination risk and the UPC codes.
- Charged language
- “illegal and dangerous stimulant”
- For example
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“Using products with DMAA can be fatal.” — The Independent
“The deaths of several Texas service members were linked to DMAA in 2012-2013.” — The Independent
Centre0 outlets
No centre outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Right1 outlet
- Framing
- The New York Post opens in a consumer-warning register aimed at gym-goers, then covers the recall details and product identifiers.
- Emphasis
- Product appearance and UPC codes, the caffeine-DMAA interaction, and the point that the ban hasn't stopped DMAA appearing in performance products.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention the DMAA-linked deaths, the UK and Australia bans, or how to report problems to the FDA.
- Charged language
- “That extra workout boost may come at a serious cost.”“getting more than they bargained for”
- For example
-
“Those looking to pump up their workouts might be getting more than they bargained for.” — New York Post
“Despite the ban on this chemical, it’s still commonly seen in sports performance products.” — New York Post
What every side reports
- Leader Formulas of Texas is recalling RAPTURE Preworkout lot 260327-4, sold between January 29, 2025 and May 25, 2026.
- The FDA found the illegal stimulant DMAA in the product.
- Affected flavors are Rainbow Twist, Electric Lemonade and Berry Mojito.
- No adverse events linked to the recall have been reported.
- Consumers should stop using the product and return it for a full refund.
Where accounts differ
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When and where DMAA was banned
- Left
- The Independent says it was banned in 2012 in the UK, Canada and Australia, and declared illegal in the US in April 2013.
- Right
- The New York Post says Canada banned it in 2011, and New Zealand, Brazil, Finland, Sweden and the US in 2012 and 2013.
Left1 article
-
Pre-workout powder recalled over illegal stimulant linked to heart attacks
Neutral Fact-led recall report that adds historical deaths and regulatory context, and notes the company did not respond to a request for comment.
Centre0 articles
No coverage yet.
Right1 article
-
Pre-workout powder recalled over illegal drug linked to heart attacks
Mixed Consumer-health warning with a light, punchy opening, plus product identifiers and a note that DMAA is still common in sports products.
- 8 Oct 15:56 First New York PostR Pre-workout powder recalled over illegal drug linked to heart attacks
- 12 Oct 15:15 +95h 19m The IndependentLC Pre-workout powder recalled over illegal stimulant linked to heart attacks
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.