Falcons DT Jackson sues manufacturer of diet pill

Grady Jackson

Atlanta Falcons nose tackle Grady Jackson on Monday filed a class-action lawsuit against against the manufacturer of a diuretic that reportedly led to his four-game suspension from the NFL.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Jackson, who is appealing the league's suspension, filed the suit in Superior Court of California against Nikki Harrell's StarCaps diet pills.

The lawsuit also names Balanced Health Products, the maker of StarCaps. Jackson is seeking restitution and damages for false advertising and unfair business practices against the company and retailers of StarCaps.

The company acknowledged the lawsuit in a message posted on its web site, StarCaps.com.

"We've received notice of a problem with an NFL player," the statement read. "We have referred the matter to our counsel and are taking all necessary steps to ensure that our customers receive product that is safe and effective. We have temporarily suspended shipping of StarCaps pending the results of our investigation."

Jackson is among a handful of NFL players who reportedly tested positive for Bumetanide, a diuretic which is on the NFL's list of banned substances.

Defensive tackles Pat Williams and Kevin Williams of the Minnesota Vikings and a trio of players with the New Orleans Saints - running back Deuce McAllister and defensive ends Will Smith and Charles Grant - have been identified in multiple media reports as testing positive for the drug.

Bumetanide is a diuretic which can mask the presence of other substances, including steroids.

Nationalpost November 14, 2008

McAllister said last month that he was not surprised to learn of his inclusion on the list, although he insisted he always has tried to play by the rules.