BEIJING, July 5 -- The Shanghai Food and Drug Administration yesterday said it is closely monitoring Bolibao, a type of powder which the producer claims can enlarge female breasts, after the Beijing authority started an investigation of the company.

   ; Shanghai Daily called yesterday one of the company's agents on Hengtong Road in Zhabei District. An employee said Bolibao was not for sale now because of too many complaints.

    Earlier this week, China Central TV broadcast a report after receiving complaints about the product made by Beijing Qiguan Tianxia Company. Customers said it was not as "magical" as the adverts claimed.

    In its adverts, the producer said the powder can make breasts larger and that it is 100 percent natural using ingredients such as kudzu root.

    Several women with excellent figures said it was the result of using Bolibao. But the women are either actresses or models hired by Beijing Qiguan Tianxia Company.

    The advert has been broadcast on 17 domestic satellite channels for several months. Numerous women believed the ad and purchased Bolibao. Many did not get the expected results.

    "They said 98 percent of users' breasts would become bigger after using 4 boxes of the powder, but I have already used 30 boxes and have felt no change," said a young woman who refused to provide her name.

    The powder has led to side effects such as pimples, stomach aches and the disruption of menstrual cycles.

    Users unsatisfied with the results wanted a refund. The TV advert says users can get a refund if they are unsatisfied. But the company rejected refund requests.

    It refused to admit the powder doesn't work and emphasized results vary.

    A doctor said Bolibao and similar products never work.

    "There is no food or medicine that is proven to make women's breasts grow," said Qi Fazhi, doctor of the cosmetic department of Zhongshan Hospital.