Advocates urge tighter regulations on dietary supplements for consumers' safety
German Consumer Protection Advocates Call for Stricter Oversight of Food Supplement Advertisements
Consumer protection organizations in Germany are urging stricter government monitoring of advertisements promoting food supplements due to concerns over false claims and misinformation. In a statement last Wednesday, the Federation of German Consumer Organizations (vzbv) expressed the need to safeguard consumers from potentially deceitful promises made by food supplement advertisements.
According to a survey conducted by the vzbv, many consumers believe food supplements are backed by strong research and generally safe, despite the fact that often, this is not the case. Furthermore, people tend to overestimate the effectiveness of these supplements, viewing them as a panacea for various health issues.
One area of concern highlighted by the vzbv is the advertising of food supplements with unsubstantiated health claims, particularly on popular social media platforms. The association noted that these products are sometimes presented as natural medicines, even though they are classified as food items. According to the survey, about 24% of respondents hold this misconception.
The survey also revealed that nearly 80% of respondents use food supplements, with more than half using them at least once a week. Ominously, nearly half (49%) falsely assume that these products undergo health safety testing prior to sale.
U.S. regulations on dietary supplement advertising are primarily overseen by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), supplements are not subject to pre-market approval, but they must adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and labeling requirements. Both agencies issue warning letters to companies making unsubstantiated health claims or violating other regulations.
In light of these revelations, the vzbv is advocating for stricter regulations to ensure accurate advertising and protect consumers from misleading claims about food supplements. The need for such measures is underscored by the growing popularity of these products and the potential for consumers to be misled by unsubstantiated health claims.
Source: ntv.de, AFP
The Community policy should incorporate stricter regulations for food supplement advertisements, considering the concerns about false claims and misinformation highlighted by the Federation of German Consumer Organizations (vzbv). To bolster consumer confidence, it's crucial to ensure the accuracy of food supplement advertisements, particularly in relation to food safety, given the widespread belief among consumers that these products are generally safe and backed by strong science.
