April 2004

FDA cracks down on weight-loss claims

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has sent warning letters to 16 dietary supplement distributors making false and misleading claims for weight loss products promoted over the internet.

"Obesity in America is at epidemic proportions, and we will not tolerate companies making false claims promising easy fixes," Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson said. "There is no substitute for eating well and remaining physically active."

Many of these products claim to block starch, carbohydrates and fat calories, while allowing consumers to lose weight without any changes in lifestyle. For example, according to the FDA, some of the product labels have claimed:

• "Eat All You Want! Block the Starch and Lose Weight!";

• "Neutralize up to 66 percent of the starch consumed in a meal";

• "This advanced dietary-fat inhibitor helps block the absorption of fat calories";

• "Take 3 capsules before bedtime. Watch the fat disappear!"; and

• "Guaranteed to block the breakdown of carbohydrates and simple sugars from being converted into fat."

Although dietary supplement labeling may include claims about the supplement's effect on the structure or function of the human body, the law requires that "structure/function" claims must have substantiation and be truthful and not misleading. After reviewing the claims of the various products, FDA concluded that claims being made regarding these products are not supported by reliable scientific evidence.

FDA is requesting a response from the firms in writing within 15 days of receipt of the warning letters stating the action the firms will take to correct the noted violations and to ensure that similar violations do not occur in the future.
Copies of the warning letters can be found online at http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/wl-list.html.

Source: Food and Drug Administration, www.fda.gov

Industry News from:
Chiropractic News from: