The founder of one of the United States' largest dietary supplement companies has pleaded not guilty to lying to the Food and Drug Administration about reports of health problems associated with its Metabolite 356 product, which contained ephedra.

Michael J. Ellis faces six criminal counts of making false statements to the FDA and two counts of obstruction in connection with the federal agency's investigation into supplements containing ephedra. In 1988, Ellis received five years probation in federal court for making methamphetamine. Meth contains the same basic ingredient as Metabolite 356 -- ephedrine.

Metabolife International Inc., the company Ellis founded in 1995, said it planned to contest the charges and in a statement said it no longer sells ephedra-based products, which were banned by the FDA earlier this year.

Ephedra has been linked to more than 150 deaths and dozens of heart attacks and strokes, including that of Steve Bechler, a 23-year-old pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles who died during spring training last year, according to reports filed with the FDA.

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