Bodybuilders use Clenbuterol which is far more potent,mildly anabolic, and anti-catabolic, meaning it reduces the rate in which your muscle is consumed during a caloric deficit. Ephedrine isn't even in the same ballpark.
A fatal amount of anything is deadly. If a kid swallowed a handful of aspirin and died, it is not going to be pulled from the shelves. Any incidents in which ephedrine was a factor were used as a means to an end. That end being the FDA being able to control one of the main sources of Meth production.