FDA Sends a Stern Warning to the Supplement Industry
Posted Apr 04 2011 9:04am
The FDA sent manufacturers of dietary supplements a letter about deceptive labeling or claims that have not been proven. These letters will most likely fall into the appropriate hands of major companies since the FDA is working with five major trade organizations to make sure this warning gets out. The substances of concern are those that are considered active ingredients consumers would find in prescription drugs. The FDA has already alerted consumers of nearly 300 of these products, many of which have already caused injury or illness. The plan is to enforce product seizures, injunctions and criminal prosecution of specific individuals responsible due to the poor business ethics among certain manufacturers.
The FDA has also announced the development of a new method to alert and quickly warn consumers about new tainted products as they are discovered. FDA tests have found undeclared active ingredients in products that are marketed as dietary supplements such as:
Anti-coagulants
Anti-convulsants
Cholesterol medications
Erectile dysfunction medications
Beta blockers
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Anabolic steroids
Obesity medications found to cause heart problems
Lawful supplements include vitamins, minerals, and other ingredients meant to supplement the standard diet. However, the most common categories of so-called dietary supplements that contain illegal substances or contaminants include:
Weight loss products – more than 40 tainted products such as Sibutramine found in Slimming Beauty, Solo Slim and Slim-30
Body Building products – more that 80 tainted products such as Tren Xtreme, ArimaDex, and Clomed. These have been found to contain anabolic steroids.
Sexual enhancement products – more than 70 tainted products such as Vigor-25, Duro Extend Capsules for Men, and Magic Power Coffee.
National Council on Strength and Fitness, E-News, January Issue 2011
The FDA sent manufacturers of dietary supplements a letter about deceptive labeling or claims that have not been proven. These letters will most likely fall into the appropriate hands of major companies since the FDA is working with five major trade organizations to make sure this warning gets out. The substances of concern are those that are considered active ingredients consumers would find in prescription drugs. The FDA has already alerted consumers of nearly 300 of these products, many of which have already caused injury or illness. The plan is to enforce product seizures, injunctions and criminal prosecution of specific individuals responsible due to the poor business ethics among certain manufacturers.
The FDA has also announced the development of a new method to alert and quickly warn consumers about new tainted products as they are discovered. FDA tests have found undeclared active ingredients in products that are marketed as dietary supplements such as:
Lawful supplements include vitamins, minerals, and other ingredients meant to supplement the standard diet. However, the most common categories of so-called dietary supplements that contain illegal substances or contaminants include:
National Council on Strength and Fitness, E-News, January Issue 2011