Gold Coast woman poisoned by ‘natural’ supplement sues business for $1m

A Gold Coast woman has sued a local business for close to $1m after she clams she was poisoned by a natural supplement in 2021.

Darryn Gordon has taken legal action. Picture: Nigel Hallett

A Gold Coast woman has sued a local business for close to $1m after she clams she was poisoned by a natural supplement in 2021.

Coolangatta woman Darryn Gordon alleges in her lawsuit that she suffered severe injuries after she consumed “fruit powder” Samuraten, purchased from Mermaid Waters-based Humanergic Therapies.

Ms Gordon filed a compensation claim against the wellness centre in the Supreme Court of Queensland after she claimed she discovered the fruit powder contained dexamethasone – a highly potent steroid allegedly undisclosed on the label and typically only prescribed at low doses for short periods to treat organs or life-threatening conditions.

The lawsuit alleges breaches of duty, contract, and breach of the Australian Consumer Law by the business operator, Neil Pont, who is alleged to have imported the product via eBay from Indonesia.

The statement of claim was filed by the plaintiff on June 6, while Mr Pont filed a Notice of Intention to Defend on June 28.

Ms Gordon claims the supplement was falsely represented as safe and suitable for treating arthritis, with no proper checks to ensure its safety for consumption.

In her statement of claim, Ms Gordon detailed what she claimed were the devastating health impacts.

“I’ve lost my business of 30 years, my independence and my confidence,” she said.

“I can’t walk or breathe properly any more, and my reaction time has slowed – I’ve run red lights and had traffic accidents.

“The damage is done, and according to the medical professionals, it’s permanent.”

Ms Gordon said she wanted to warn others about the risks of certain supplements.

“You don’t expect to be poisoned when you’re trying to do your body a favour,” she said.

“I thought I was taking a safe, natural product – not pharmaceuticals.

“I got sicker and sicker without knowing why.”

Ms Gordon’s lawyer, Travis Schultz, managing partner of Travis Schultz & Partners, said consumers should think twice before purchasing imported products online.

“While buying from abroad may seem convenient, it often leaves Australians without the protections provided by the Australian Consumer Law,” Mr Schultz said.

“In Darryn’s case, purchasing the product through an Australian retailer provides her with an avenue for legal recourse.

“However when consumers buy online directly from overseas retailers, there is no recourse, no insurance and no opportunity to claim damages.

“In today’s digital marketplace, where goods can easily be sourced from overseas, consumers need to be extra vigilant about their choices.”

Mr Pont declined to comment on the compensation claim.

Originally published as Gold Coast woman poisoned by ‘natural’ supplement sues business for $1m