By Lindsay Tice,Staff Writer

AUBURN – Some campers were given a mintlike weight-loss supplement by both a peer and the executive director at the L/A Arts Summer Youth Theatre program earlier this month, outraging at least one set of parents.

Chris King and Alizah Shriver say children should not take Slim Mints and their 9-year-old daughter could have been harmed.

But Executive Director Andrew Harris maintains the mints are little more than candy. He said an older girl was sharing her treat, and he later offered the mints to show worried students they hadn’t taken anything dangerous from their friend.

Housed at the Auburn United Methodist Church, the L/A Arts summer program runs for about three weeks and teaches kids about acting and play production. It currently has 15 campers between 9 and 16 years old.

The problem began about two weeks ago during a break in the day. Some kids shared snacks and an older girl passed around her Slim Mints.

“We all thought it was candy. She said it was supposed to make us not be hungry,” said Gavriella King, Shriver and King’s 9-year-old daughter.

Slim Mints come in a tin like other popular breath mints, but are sold online and in stores as “diet mints.” They contain green tea and two supplements popular for weight loss and appetite suppression.

The back of the tin carries a small-print warning: “Not intended for use by persons under 18 years of age.”

Then, in all capital letters: “Keep out of reach of children.”

When Gavriella got home that Friday night, she told her father about the mints. She only knew that they were called “Slim” something and were supposed to curb hunger.

On Monday, King and Gavriella’s mother went to the camp to find out exactly what their daughter had taken and to express their displeasure.

Harris said King shouted at his staff. King said no one would take the situation seriously.

“All they did was argue with me and make me think it was Altoids or LifeSavers,” King said.

The executive director talked to the campers that morning and found out what had happened. Some of the kids began to worry that they’d eaten something dangerous.

Harris went to the Slim Mints official Web site and didn’t see any warning, he said. He then bought a tin of mints at Wal-Mart and asked the pharmacist about them.

According to Harris, the pharmacist said the mints had no weight loss properties, except for the artificial sweetener that was used instead of sugar. He said he was told the mints were OK to eat.

Harris said he didn’t see the age warning on the back.

He took the new tin with him to the camp. Because some of the children were concerned, he told them the mints were all right and he offered them to anyone who wanted more.

“I had to get the camp on track,” he said.

Some kids took the Slim Mints, including Gavriella. Her parents were outraged when they found out that night.

“My mouth just dropped,” Gavriella’s mother said. “I’m thinking How is he thinking this is safe?'”

Gavriella’s parents said their Internet research showed the supplements in Slim Mints can cause anxiety, nausea, vomiting and seizures in people who are prone to them.

They immediately pulled her out of the theater program.

They said they’ve written to city officials and the L/A Arts board chairman, and have contacted the Auburn police. A detective with the department said it is investigating.

“Someone needs to do something,” Gavriella’s mother said. “Someone needs to be held accountable.”

Harris believes the situation is being overblown.

“I think we did a pretty good job,” Harris said.

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