Shark Cartilage Supplement Labeling Practices and Compliance with U.S. Regulations

Labeling compliance and online claims for Ayurvedic herbal supplements on the U.S. market associated with the purported treatment of COVID-19

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many consumers increased their use of supplements that claimed to support immune health, including Ayurvedic preparations. The goal of this study was to analyze labeling compliance and online claims for Ayurvedic herbal supplements associated with the purported treatment of COVID-19. The physical product labels for 51 herbal supplements labeled as ginger, tulsi/holy basil, amla, vacha/calamus root, guduchi/giloy, cinnamon, ashwagandha, tribulus, or turmeric were assessed for U.S. regulatory compliance. Disease claims, structure/function claims, and general well-being claims were also examined. The online listings for products purchased online (n = 42) were examined for claims and for the presence of the required legal disclaimer. Collectively, 61% of products had at least one instance of noncompliance on the physical label. The most common violations included missing/noncompliant disclaimer (33%), noncompliant "Supplement Facts" label (29%), noncompliant statement of identity (27%) and noncompliant domestic mailing address or phone number (25%). Structure/function claims occurred more frequently in the online product listings (average of 5 claims per product) compared to the physical labels (average of 2 claims per product). Disease claims were observed for 38% of online product listings and on 8% of physical labels. The use of disease claims on herbal supplements is a significant concern for public health because it may lead consumers to delay seeking professional treatment for life-threatening diseases. Overall, this study revealed a lack of labeling compliance among Ayurvedic herbal supplements and a need for greater scrutiny and monitoring of online product listings.

Health-Related Content of TV and Radio Advertising of Dietary Supplements—Analysis of Legal Aspects after Introduction of Self-Regulation for Advertising of These Products in Poland

Dietary supplements may have beneficial value but, by definition, they have no therapeutic effect. However, their labeling and especially the advertisements in the media, often make ungrounded health claims. The aim of the study was to analyze the content of audio–visual advertisements of dietary supplements for health and legal aspects in the context of the European Law and the 1 January 2020 Polish self-regulation between TV broadcasting companies and supplement manufacturers. Supplement advertisements broadcast across six TV and radio stations from 9–15 March 2020 were analyzed. Most of the analyzed advertisements complied with the legal requirements and included terms such as ‘supports’ or ‘facilitates’ body function, which are less definite in nature. Almost 30% of the advertised supplements made unproven claims on their effectiveness in various health situations, e.g., effective weight loss, thus assuring the addressee about the beneficial effect of dietary supplements in a given health context. Agreement on the rules and regulations governing supplement advertising resulted in a noticeable improvement in advertisement content, which will hopefully raise consumer awareness about the absence of therapeutic properties of dietary supplements.

Bovine Liver Supplement Labeling Practices and Compliance With U.S. Regulations

Bovine liver supplements are sought after by consumers due to their nutrient-dense profile and high protein content. However, there is a lack of information regarding bovine liver supplement labeling practices. The objective of this study was to assess labeling practices and compliance with U.S. regulatory standards among commercially sold bovine liver supplements. The product labels for 49 bovine liver supplements were examined for required information, including a statement of identity; net quantity of contents; "Supplement Facts" label; ingredient statement; and name and place of business of manufacturer, packer, or distributor with domestic address or telephone number. Any claims made on the supplement labels were also reviewed for compliance. Overall, 59% of the products had at least one instance of noncompliance with U.S. labeling regulations. The main categories of noncompliance were missing a domestic mailing address or phone number (39% of products), noncompliant nutrient content claim (31% of products), and missing/noncompliant disclaimer for a nutritional support statement (6% of products). The lack of a mailing address or phone number is problematic because it prevents consumers from being able to report serious adverse events to the manufacturer. The majority (85%) of the nutrient content observed on product labels was found to be noncompliant. Noncompliant nutrient content claims are a major concern for consumers who rely on these claims to assess the nutritional benefits of a product. Overall, the results of this study revealed a lack of labeling compliance in bovine liver supplements, indicating a need for increased awareness and monitoring.