Advocates demand tighter regulations for dietary supplements
Growing Call for Tighter Controls on Food Supplement Ads
Consumer advocates are urging for stricter oversight of advertisements promoting food supplements, citing concerns about misleading claims that may mislead consumers. The Federation of German Consumer Organisations (vzbv) expressed this concern on Wednesday, highlighting the need to safeguard consumers from false advertising promises.
A recent survey conducted by the vzbv revealed that many individuals consider these products safe and well-researched, but this is not universally true. Furthermore, people tends to overestimate the effectiveness of the tablets, capsules, or drops.
The vzbv cited social media as a platform where such unsubstantiated health claims are often associated with food supplements. The survey found that approximately a quarter of respondents viewed the products as a form of natural medicine, although they are categorized as food.
Nearly eight out of ten respondents reported using food supplements, with more than half indicating weekly use. Alarmingly, nearly half of respondents incorrectly believed that these products undergo health safety testing before being sold.
Regulations governing the advertising of dietary supplements, including food supplements, are primarily managed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC ensures truthful advertising to prevent misleading claims. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), on the other hand, oversees labeling and safety under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994. However, the FDA does not require pre-market approval for most supplements except for new dietary ingredients.
While there have been no detailed proposals for stricter advertising regulations discovered thus far, the FDA is engaged in broader initiatives to improve dietary guidance and labeling transparency. However, discussions about deregulation or adjustments to existing regulations do take place, such as potential changes to the placement of disclaimers on labels. The FDA is focusing on standardized labeling systems for foods, which could indirectly impact the perception and regulation of food supplements.
Source: ntv.de, AFP
- In light of the growing concern about misleading claims in food supplement advertisements, there is a call for community policy to align with science and promote truthful advertising in the health-and-wellness sector, ensuring food safety and correct understanding of nutrition.
- To alleviate the potential misinterpretation of food supplements as natural medicine, and to establish accurate food safety standards, stricter regulations should be considered for their advertising, adhering to the FTC's guidelines for truthful advertising and FDA's labeling and safety measures under the DSHEA.
