J.C. Romero of the Philadelphia Philles and Sergio Mitre of the New York Yankees have both been suspended for 50 games for testing positive for anabolic steroids under the Major League Baseball (MLB) drug policy. In a seemingly well-planned, but scientifically flawed, public relations campaign, Romero and Mitre allege the positive steroid test resulted from the respective ingestion of the dietary supplements 6-OXO by Ergopharm and Halodrol Liquigels by Gaspari Nutrition purchased from GNC. The listed ingredient of 4-etioallocholen-3,6, 17-trione in 6-OXO and Halodrol, while banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), is NOT explicitly prohibited by MLB. The players allege that 6-OXO and Halodrol were contaminated with androstenedione which was not disclosed on the label. Androstenedione has been prohibited by MLB since 2004.
Chemist Patrick Arnold says that his company Ergopharm tests their products for purity explaining that any potential contamination would be in the “parts per billion” range and would have no physiological effect. Read more
Another prominent bodybuilder was recently charged with “possession of a controlled substance and possession with intent to deliver.” NPC Bodybuilder Eddie Moyzan, recently featured in advertisements for Gaspari Nutrition, was arrested for selling the anabolic steroids Dianabol (methandrostenolone) and Anavar (oxandrolone) to an undercover police officer on two occassions at the Gold’s Gym in Bethlehem Pennsylvania.
The transactions allegedly occurred over one year ago. The Bethlehem State Police refused to explain why it took so long to file charges. Eddie Moyzan is free on $50,000 unsecured bond.
