The Dangers of False Promises on Dietary Supplements

As Americans have become increasingly health conscious over the years, the use of supplements and health products have skyrocketed. This trend towards wanting to live healthier lifestyles is a wonderful shift to see, but there is a drawback. With increased demand for supplements and more options entering the market, the FDA has turned their attention to the claims these products make. Dietary supplements that promise to treat, cure, prevent, mitigate, or diagnose a disease may be flagged and potentially held at import. It’s imperative to review your product’s label carefully with the aid of an expert to avoid the consequences of false or misleading claims.

How does the FDA regulate dietary supplement claims?

According to the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, dietary supplements must adhere to certain guidelines and stay within the approved parameters with the claims they make. The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act also requires specific “Supplement Facts” labeling, disclaimers, and compliance with certain food safety standards. As stated on the FDA’s website, “a product sold as a dietary supplement and promoted on its label or in labeling* as a treatment, prevention or cure for a specific disease or condition would be considered an unapproved — and thus illegal — drug.” All of this protects the consumer from falling prey to untrue claims or suffering from health issues after consuming a mislabeled supplement.

If the FDA flags a product’s claims or labeling as misleading or false, it can be a major hassle and expense to your company. FDA enforces these guidelines by issuing warning letters, detaining products at US ports, and various other actions. These consequences could reverberate all the way down the supply chain, impacting relationships with supply chain partners, financing partners, and other parties. Plus, FDA attention can attract consumer false advertising suits, which can seriously impact the reputation and legality of a brand, not to mention hit your company with costly fines and settlements.

How can you protect your company from the consequences of false promises?

Prevention is key to protect your company from product detentions, warning letters, and other FDA enforcement actions. Your products are crucial to the success of your company, so your dietary supplements should be carefully vetted before launching on the market. Before importing and selling your company’s dietary supplements, you will need the help of an expert to ensure full compliance with FDA guidelines and standards. This will not only provide your company and products with a seamless launch, but peace of mind as well.

At US Imports, we help vendors ensure their dietary supplements and other food-related products comply with all FDA regulations. From overall product labeling reviews to specific claim reviews, we can assess your product labeling for compliance with FDA standards. Browse our full list of services for dietary supplements and set your product up for a successful launch today.