Defining the Public Health Threat of Dietary Supplement Fraud

Does knowledge and concern regarding food supplement safety affect the behavioral intention of consumers? An experimental study on the theory of reasoned action

In recent years, health crises have led consumers to make more frequent purchases of food supplements. The global food supplement market, which reached $61.20 billion in 2020, is estimated to reach $163.12 billion by 2022 and $350.96 billion by 2032. However, many consumers still have concerns about the safety of food supplements. Within the scope of the research, firstly, the health consciousness (HC) level of food supplement consumers was determined. Secondly, food safety knowledge (FSK) and food safety concerns (FSCs) were measured. Thirdly, consumers' attitudes (ATUs), subjective norms (SNs), and behavioral intentions (BIs) toward food supplements were determined within the scope of the theory of reasoned action. The study used a convenient sampling, and 327 participants were included in the sample population. The data for the analysis was collected using the online survey method in the third quarter of 2023. The relationships between hypothesized items in the structural model were tested using the Smart-PLS. The validity and reliability of the measurement model were evaluated at the start of the structural equation modelling approach using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Regression analyses were performed in the structural model phase to evaluate overall fit and suggested relationships by way of the Smart-PLS. In light of the findings, it was determined that the interaction between HC and ATU was mediated by FSK, and the interaction between HC and the SN was mediated by FSK. Consequently, this research presents a variety of theoretical and practical implications to give clues for consumers' health regarding food supplement consumption.

A multi-analyte screening method for the rapid detection of illicit adulterants in dietary supplements using a portable SERS analyzer

The popularity and number of dietary supplements on the health market have experienced an unprecedented boost in recent years. Simultaneously, their increased use has been accompanied by an increase in acute intoxication cases linked to the adulteration of these products with illicit and undeclared substances. In this study, a SERS-based screening methodology was developed to rapidly detect illegally added pharmaceutically active substances to dietary supplements. A portable analyzer and silver printed-SERS substrates were used to enhance the signal, requiring less than 20 min of sample preparation prior to the analysis. The method was successful in the qualitative identification of eleven out of twenty-three illicit adulterants in the dietary supplements; it could detect the target compounds at realistic adulteration levels (0.1-5.0% w/w), demonstrating the potential of SERS-based methodologies for forensic rapid screening applications. The developed method is quick, easy to use, requires no skilled technicians and little sample preparation, and allows in-situ analyses. For these reasons, it is suitable for quick screening to be performed by inspectors at customs. Moreover, the low specificity of spectroscopic methods, to which SERS belongs, would benefit the detection of newly synthesized analogues of the target adulterants, which would otherwise be more difficult using common mass spectrometry methods in absence of reference standards.

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.

Assessment of the Use of Food Supplements by Military Personnel: Study Protocol and Results

Due to their specific mode of operation, military personnel are challenged physically as well as mentally. In most countries, the use of food supplements by military personnel is not regulated, and a high prevalence of supplementation is expected. However, data on this are scarce or very limited, without insights into the importance of supplementation for the intake of bioactive substances. Our goal was, therefore, to develop a study protocol to enable an assessment of the prevalence of using food supplements and an estimate of the contribution of supplementation practices to the dietary intake of specific nutrients and other compounds. The protocol was tested in a study of Slovene Armed Forces (SAF) personnel. Data were collected using an anonymous questionnaire in a sample of 470 participants from different military units-about half from the barracks located across the country, and the other half returning from military operations abroad. To provide meaningful results, we recorded the use of food supplements and functional foods available in single-sized portions (i.e., energy drinks, protein bars, etc.). Altogether, 68% of the participants reported supplementation, most commonly with vitamin, mineral, and protein supplements. Military rank, participation status in military operations, and physical activity were the main determinants of the specific supplements used. Surprisingly, a lower prevalence of overall and protein supplementation was observed in subjects returning from military operations abroad (62 vs. 74%) than in personnel stationed in barracks across Slovenia; however, the frequency of the use of energy drinks and caffeine supplements was higher in this population (25 vs. 11%). The study design allowed for estimations of the daily intake of supplemented bioactive compounds. We describe the challenges and approaches used in the study to support similar studies in the future and within other populations.

Financial precarity, food insecurity, and psychological distress prospectively linked with use of potentially dangerous dietary supplements during the pandemic in the US

Introduction

Supplements sold with claims to promote weight loss, cleansing/detoxing, increased energy, or boosted immunity can be dangerous, and consumers experiencing extreme stressors may be especially vulnerable to deceptive claims. The purpose of our study was to investigate associations of financial strain and psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic with use of supplements sold for weight loss, cleanse/detox, energy, or immunity.

Methods

We used repeated-measures data gathered over five survey waves from April/May 2020-April 2021 from the COVID-19 Substudy (N = 54,951), within three prospective US national cohorts (Nurses' Health Study 2, Nurses' Health Study 3, and Growing Up Today Study), to investigate longitudinal associations between financial strain and psychological distress and risk of use of potentially dangerous types of supplements. Surveys assessed use of supplements prior to and during the first year of the pandemic, as well as financial precarity, food insecurity, depressive and anxiety symptoms, perceived stress, and daily hassles. We fit sociodemographic-adjusted modified Poisson GEE models to estimate risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations between baseline or lagged time-varying predictors and prevalent or incident (i.e., new-onset) use of each supplement type.

Results

At baseline in April/May 2020, soon after pandemic onset, current use of supplement types was: weight loss 2.7%; cleanse/detox 3.2%; energy 4.4%; immune 22.6%. By the end of the study period, cumulative incidence was: weight loss 3.5%; cleanse/detox 3.7%; energy 4.5%; immune 21.3%. In prevalent-use analyses, financial precarity, food insecurity, and psychological distress were associated with up to 2.4 times the risk of use of these types of supplements across the study period. Similarly, in incident-use analyses, financial precarity and psychological distress were associated with up to 2.1 times the risk of initiating use; whereas, high food insecurity was associated with nearly 1.8 times higher risk of onset of weight-loss supplements use but was not associated with onset of use of other types of supplements.

Discussion

We found consistent evidence that during the first year of the pandemic, participants experiencing elevated financial strain and psychological distress were at heightened risk of initiating use of potentially dangerous types of supplements. Our findings raise concerns about deceptive claims about the safety and product effectiveness by manufacturers of these supplements to profit from vulnerable consumers during the pandemic.

Interaction of luteolin, naringenin, and their sulfate and glucuronide conjugates with human serum albumin, cytochrome P450 (CYP2C9, CYP2C19, and CYP3A4) enzymes and organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP1B1 and OATP2B1) transporters

Luteolin and naringenin are flavonoids found in various foods/beverages and present in certain dietary supplements. After a high intake of these flavonoids, their sulfate and glucuronide conjugates reach micromolar concentrations in the bloodstream. Some pharmacokinetic interactions of luteolin and naringenin have been investigated in previous studies; however, only limited data are available in regard to their metabolites. In this study, we aimed to investigate the interactions of the sulfate and glucuronic acid conjugates of luteolin and naringenin with human serum albumin, cytochrome P450 (CYP2C9, 2C19, and 3A4) enzymes, and organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP1B1 and OATP2B1) transporters. Our main findings are as follows: (1) Sulfate conjugates formed more stable complexes with albumin than the parent flavonoids. (2) Luteolin and naringenin conjugates showed no or only weak inhibitory action on the CYP enzymes examined. (3) Certain conjugates of luteolin and naringenin are potent inhibitors of OATP1B1 and/or OATP2B1 enzymes. (4) Conjugated metabolites of luteolin and naringenin may play an important role in the pharmacokinetic interactions of these flavonoids.

Quality evaluation of commercial herbal products using chemical methods

Herbal products comprise a wide spectrum of locally, nationally or internationally commercialized commodities. As these products have an increasingly important position in healthcare systems worldwide, a detailed product quality assessment is of crucial importance. For the quality evaluation of commercial herbal products, a wide range of methods were used, from simpler, quicker, and cost-effective HPTLC, to hyphenated methods with MS or NMR, where more precise quantification or specific structural information is required. Additionally, most of the methods have been coupled with chemometric tools, such as PCA, or PDA, for the multivariate analysis of the high amount of data generated by chromatograms, electropherograms or spectra. The chemical methods have revealed the widespread presence of low or variable quality herbal products in the marketplace. The majority of analytical investigations present major, qualitative and quantitative, inter-product variations of their chemical composition, ranging from missing ingredients, to strikingly and unnaturally high concentrations of some compounds. Moreover, the inter-batch quality variations were frequently reported, as well as the presence of some undesirable substances. The chemical analysis of herbal products is a vital component to raise the overall awareness of quality in the herbal market and generate a quality driven approach.

Simultaneous Determination of Adulterants in Dietary Food Supplements Using Multivariate Data Analysis after Preconcentration with Novel Nanosorbents and Chromatographic Measurement

Background

The increasing popularity of dietary supplements and, consequently, related adulteration emphasizes the rising need to examine the association of food supplements with fraud. Intentional or unintentional fraud in food supplements by hazardous chemicals compounds is a problem that many countries are struggling with. Much effort have been made to effectively and reliably control the quality of food supplements.

Objective

Due to the importance of the subject, an analytical method for the simultaneous and reliable detection and quantitative determination of three key adulterants in dietary food supplements was developed. The proposed method benefits from analytical methods and multivariate calibration methods to progress the determination of adulterants in a complex matrix.

Methods

HPLC assisted by multivariate curve resolution-alternating least square (MCR-ALS) analysis was used to detect adulterants in real samples after separation and preconcentration using novel mesoporous carbon nanoparticles. Solid-phase extraction (SPE) optimization was accomplished by central composite design (CCD). In order to obtain the best results, the MCR-ALS model was compared with the parallel factor analysis 2 (PARAFAC2) model and validated by estimation of linearity, detection limits, and recovery.

Results

The detection limits and linear dynamics were calculated as 1.5, 4.27, and 4.77 µg/mL, and 1–50, 5–20, and 5–20 µg/mL for caffeine, ephedrine, and fluoxetine, respectively. Mean recovery for determination of caffeine, ephedrine, and fluoxetine using the developed method was reported as 101.75, 91.7, and 92.36, respectively.

Conclusion

The results showed that to avoid negative health outcomes associated with the excessive consumption of adulterated food supplements releasing such products should be carefully regulated. The developed method was validated using statistical factors and showed acceptable and reliable results.

Highlights

(1) The application of MCR-ALS coupled with HPLC-Diode-Array Detection data sets allowed the simultaneous identification and quantification of three key adulterants (caffeine, ephedrine, and fluoxetine) in dietary food supplements. (2) A small amount of the novel adsorbent was successfully used to preconcentrate the trace amounts of adulterants in samples. (3) This method benefits from the chemometrics tools and experimental design to significantly reduce the use of toxic solvents and complicated instruments to propose a less time-consuming method for quantification of multicomponents in the presence of uncalibrated interferents.

Study on the effect of income perception on cleaner-production fraud

We investigated a single-cycle product supply chain in a game model, where a supplier is the leader. By innovatively introducing cleaner production fraudulent income perception factor into a game model, we studied the mechanism of the effect of enterprise social responsibility and environmental awareness on cleaner production fraud. The results showed that the income of retailers and suppliers changes under different perceptions of fraudulent income. That is, the value of cleaner production fraudulent income perception factor will affect the enterprise's choice of differentiation strategy. When the enterprise's sense of social responsibility is weak, it is more likely to choose cleaner production fraud. Conversely, under the constraints of high social responsibility, it more likely avoids production fraud. Regarding government supervision, the income of suppliers and retailers changes under different government penalties. Furthermore, a reasonable punishment for cleaner production fraud can reduce such violations. However, after the punishment reaches a level, the efficiency of supervision begins to decline. In views of that, improving enterprise social responsibility through institutional reform is a more effective way to reduce cleaner production fraud. To contribute to a healthy competitive market environment, government supervision should establish a feedback mechanism, and make timely adjustments.

Authentication of garlic (Allium sativum L.) supplements using a trnLUAA mini-barcode

Garlic (Allium sativum), a widely distributed plant with great cultural and medicinal significance, is one of the most popular herbal dietary supplements in Europe and North America. Garlic supplements are consumed for a variety of reasons, including for their purported antihypertensive, antibacterial, and anticarcinogenic effects. The steady increase in the global herbal dietary supplement market paired with a global patchwork of regulatory frameworks makes the development of assays for authentication of these products increasingly important. A DNA mini-barcode assay was developed using the P6 loop of the plastid trnL^UAA intron to positively identify A. sativum products. Analysis of 43 commercially available garlic herbal dietary supplements produced mini-barcode sequences for 33 supplements, all of which contained detectable amounts of A. sativum. The trnL^UAA P6 mini-barcode can be highly useful for specimen identification, particularly for samples that may contain degraded DNA.

An Approach to Investigate Content-Related Quality of Nutraceuticals Used by Slovenian Consumers: A Case Study with Folate and Vitamin D Supplements

A predisposition for the efficiency of nutraceuticals is that the product contains a sufficient quantity of a vitamin. Several studies have highlighted different quality issues. Our objective was to investigate whether the contents of the vitamins in selected types of food supplements were in accordance with labeling. We focused on two types of food supplements where content-related quality issues could result in public health risks: food supplements for supplementation with (a) folic acid (as 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF)) in pregnancy and (b) with vitamin D in the general population. The study was done on supplements from the global supply that are typically used by Slovenian consumers. We sampled one production batch of 30 different food supplements-six and 24 samples with 5-MTHF and cholecalciferol, respectively. We found samples with vitamin contents outside the 80-150% tolerance interval in both sets. Particularly, 5-MTHF was found to be more problematic, probably due to its lower stability. This study shows the need for better quality control. Quality control is needed during both the manufacturing process and product shelf lifetimes. Content quality should be also subject to external controls by authorities. Voluntarily quality control schemes would also enable consumers to identify products of sufficient quality.

QCM Sensor Arrays, Electroanalytical Techniques and NIR Spectroscopy Coupled to Multivariate Analysis for Quality Assessment of Food Products, Raw Materials, Ingredients and Foodborne Pathogen Detection: Challenges and Breakthroughs

Quality checks, assessments, and the assurance of food products, raw materials, and food ingredients is critically important to ensure the safeguard of foods of high quality for safety and public health. Nevertheless, quality checks, assessments, and the assurance of food products along distribution and supply chains is impacted by various challenges. For instance, the development of portable, sensitive, low-cost, and robust instrumentation that is capable of real-time, accurate, and sensitive analysis, quality checks, assessments, and the assurance of food products in the field and/or in the production line in a food manufacturing industry is a major technological and analytical challenge. Other significant challenges include analytical method development, method validation strategies, and the non-availability of reference materials and/or standards for emerging food contaminants. The simplicity, portability, non-invasive, non-destructive properties, and low-cost of NIR spectrometers, make them appealing and desirable instruments of choice for rapid quality checks, assessments and assurances of food products, raw materials, and ingredients. This review article surveys literature and examines current challenges and breakthroughs in quality checks and the assessment of a variety of food products, raw materials, and ingredients. Specifically, recent technological innovations and notable advances in quartz crystal microbalances (QCM), electroanalytical techniques, and near infrared (NIR) spectroscopic instrument development in the quality assessment of selected food products, and the analysis of food raw materials and ingredients for foodborne pathogen detection between January 2019 and July 2020 are highlighted. In addition, chemometric approaches and multivariate analyses of spectral data for NIR instrumental calibration and sample analyses for quality assessments and assurances of selected food products and electrochemical methods for foodborne pathogen detection are discussed. Moreover, this review provides insight into the future trajectory of innovative technological developments in QCM, electroanalytical techniques, NIR spectroscopy, and multivariate analyses relating to general applications for the quality assessment of food products.

Rapid detection of carmine in black tea with spectrophotometry coupled predictive modelling

Carmine is an artificial colorant commonly used by fraudulent food business participants in black tea adulteration, for purpose of gaining illegal profits. This study combined spectrophotometry with machine learning for rapid detection of carmine in black tea based on the spectral characteristics of tea infusion. The qualitative model demonstrated an accuracy rate of 100% for successful identification of the presence/absence of carmine in black tea. For quantitative analysis, the R² between carmine concentrations generated according to spectral characteristics and those determined with HPLC was 0.988 and 0.972, respectively, for black tea samples involved in the test subset and an independent dataset II. Paired t-test indicated that the difference was statistically insignificant (P values of 0.26 and 0.44, respectively). The method established in this study was rapid and reliable for detecting carmine in black tea, and thus could be used as a useful tool to identify black tea adulteration in market.

Supplement (mis)use in adolescents

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Dietary supplement usage by adolescents has been on the rise in the last decade and is expected to continue to grow, although the evidence of their benefits in healthy individuals remains unclear. This review aims to spread awareness about the poorly regulated supplements and their effects on the health of adolescents to minimize medical hazards.

RECENT FINDINGS

In this review, we have attempted to summarize some of the commonly consumed supplements, their alleged benefits, effects and side effects, along with the motivation that drives adolescents into consuming them.

SUMMARY

The widespread use of dietary supplements among adolescents, in the background of lack of knowledge and medical guidance, predisposes adolescents to significant health risks. Although supplements may be necessary and safely consumed in certain specific situations, most healthy adolescents do not need them. The lack of regulation of supplements encourages contamination and ensures indiscriminate, easy access.

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

The objective of this study was to analyze labeling practices and compliance with regulatory standards for shark cartilage supplements sold in the United States. The product labels of 29 commercial shark cartilage supplements were assessed for compliance with U.S. regulations. Claims, including nutrient content, prohibited disease, and nutritional support statements, were examined for compliance and substantiation. Overall, 48.3% of the samples had at least one instance of noncompliance with labeling regulations. The most common labeling violations observed were: missing a domestic address/phone number, non-compliant nutrient content claim, missing/incomplete disclaimer, missing statement of identity, prohibited disease claims, and incomplete "Supplement Facts" label. The use of prohibited disease claims and nutritional support statements without the required disclaimer is concerning from a public health standpoint because consumers may delay seeking professional treatment for a disease. The results of this study indicate a need for improved labeling compliance among shark cartilage supplements.

Cyberecoethnopharmacolomics

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Development of a new term which describes the contemporary, composite, constituent sciences of ethnopharmacology.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To discuss the polysyllabic term cyberecoethnopharmacolomics in the context of the future of ethnopharmacology in global health care.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Literature background and assessment from the prior literature, diverse databases, and personal discussions.

RESULTS

The profiles and literature background with contemporary and future thoughts regarding the concepts and practices of cyber-, eco-, ethno-, pharmacol-, and -omics, and their impact in ethnopharmacology for the future are presented in the context of integrated health care systems.

CONCLUSIONS

Ethnopharmacology has a major role to play in global health care if the relevant sciences and cutting-edge technologies can coalesce synergistically as a responsive, evidence-based health care practice.

The DNA-Based Authentication of Commercial Herbal Products Reveals Their Globally Widespread Adulteration

The herbal products, sold worldwide as medicines or foods, are perceived as low risk because they are considered natural and thus safe. The quality of these products is ineffectively regulated and controlled. The growing evidence for their lack of authenticity is causing deep concern, but the scale of this phenomenon at the global, continental or national scale remains unknown. We analyzed data reporting the authenticity, as detected with DNA-based methods, of 5,957 commercial herbal products sold in 37 countries, distributed in all six inhabited continents. Our global survey shows that a substantial proportion (27%) of the herbal products commercialized in the global marketplace is adulterated when their content was tested against their labeled, claimed ingredient species. The adulterated herbal products are distributed across all continents and regions. The proportion of adulterated products varies significantly among continents, being highest in Australia (79%), South America (67%), lower in Europe (47%), North America (33%), Africa (27%) and the lowest in Asia (23%). The commercial HPs' authenticity among the 37 countries included in our global analysis ranges between 0 and 100% from the total number of product reported for each specific national marketplace. For 9 countries, more than 100 products were successfully DNA-based authenticated and reported. From these countries, the highest percentage of adulterated commercial HPs was reported for Brazil (68%), followed distantly by Taiwan (32%), India (31%), USA (29%), followed closely by Malaysia (24%), Japan (23%), South Korea (23%), Thailand (20%), and China (19%). Our results confirm the large-scale presence of adulterated herbal products throughout the global market. The adulterated herbal products contain undeclared contaminant, substitute, and filler species, or none of the labeled species, which all may be accidental or intentional, economically-motivated and fraudulent. Due to the ever-increasing analytical sensitivity of the high throughput DNA sequencing, increasingly used for the untargeted, simultaneous multi-taxa identification, the proportion of adulterated HPs detected on the global market is expected to increase. In the context of the increasing demand for HPs, the limited supply of raw materials derived from many plant species, some of which being already nationally or internationally protected and having various degrees of trade restrictions, adds up to the differences and discrepancies between national HPs' regulatory frameworks and further increases the risks of adulteration of many types of herbal products. The globally widespread adulteration is a serious threat to consumers' well-being and safety, in spite of herbal products' claimed or expected health benefits.

Safety of Guarana Seed as a Dietary Ingredient: A Review

The seeds of the guarana plant (Paullinia cupana Kunth, family Sapindaceae) are well-known to many cultures as a stimulant, aphrodisiac, and astringent. Its rhizome was traditionally boiled into a tea by Amazonian cultures. Today, guarana seeds are ground to a fine powder and sold as powder, tablets, and capsules. This review focuses on the traditional uses, phytochemistry, and biological activities of the guarana seed to evaluate its safety as a dietary ingredient. A comprehensive review of published literature was conducted to identify articles that focused on the phytochemistry, pharmacology, and safety of guarana. On the basis of this review, guarana is not currently known to be associated causally with any serious health risks when consumed properly. Overall, guarana is generally recognized as safe as a dietary ingredient marketed for its flavor and caffeine content. If guidelines for caffeine intake are respected, guarana consumption is not likely to be associated with any serious health risks.

Dietary quercetin supplements: Assessment of online product informations and quantitation of quercetin in the products by high-performance liquid chromatography

Administration of the increasingly popular dietary supplements containing quercetin may interfere with drug therapy. We intended to evaluate the online availability and quercetin content of the high-dose mono-component quercetin products and to review the potential use of quercetin products and their interactions with drugs. We monitored the online access to quercetin-containing dietary supplements, collected the relevant information from the websites, procured selected products from the vendors, and subjected them to substance analysis. The quercetin content was quantified by an HPLC-UV method. Twenty-five websites offered mono-component quercetin products, and nine products were procured. The quercetin content of eight products differed only ±10% from the nominal dose, whereas one product contained almost 30% more quercetin. Misleading indications such as antitumor and cardiovascular effects were often found on the sellers' websites. Quercetin-containing dietary supplements are available online with misleading indications. The recommended daily doses are often high (occasionally over 1,000 mg), which may induce clinically relevant interactions with medications. Because high-quercetin content of dietary supplements was confirmed, health care professionals should be aware of the unregulated internet market of dietary supplements and should consider the interactions of these substances with drugs.

Detection, Purity Analysis, and Quality Assurance of Adulterated Peanut (Arachis Hypogaea) Oils

The intake of adulterated and unhealthy oils and trans-fats in the human diet has had negative health repercussions, including cardiovascular disease, causing millions of deaths annually. Sadly, a significant percentage of all consumable products including edible oils are neither screened nor monitored for quality control for various reasons. The prospective intake of adulterated oils and the associated health impacts on consumers is a significant public health safety concern, necessitating the need for quality assurance checks of edible oils. This study reports a simple, fast, sensitive, accurate, and low-cost chemometric approach to the purity analysis of highly refined peanut oils (HRPO) that were adulterated either with vegetable oil (VO), canola oil (CO), or almond oil (AO) for food quality assurance purposes. The Fourier transform infrared spectra of the pure oils and adulterated HRPO samples were measured and subjected to a partial-least-square (PLS) regression analysis. The obtained PLS regression figures-of-merit were incredible, with remarkable linearity (R² = 0.994191 or better). The results of the score plots of the PLS regressions illustrate pattern recognition of the adulterated HRPO samples. Importantly, the PLS regressions accurately determined percent compositions of adulterated HRPOs, with an overall root-mean-square-relative-percent-error of 5.53% and a limit-of-detection as low as 0.02% (wt/wt). The developed PLS regressions continued to predict the compositions of newly prepared adulterated HRPOs over a period of two months, with incredible accuracy without the need for re-calibration. The accuracy, sensitivity, and robustness of the protocol make it desirable and potentially adoptable by health departments and local enforcement agencies for fast screening and quality assurance of consumable products.

Would You Use It With a Seal of Approval? Important Attributes of 2,4-Dinitrophenol (2,4-DNP) as a Hypothetical Pharmaceutical Product

BACKGROUND

2,4-Dinitrophenol (2,4-DNP) is an effective but highly dangerous fat burner, not licensed for human consumption. Death cases reported for 2,4-DNP overdose, particularly among young adults, have raised concerns about the ineffective regulatory control, lack of education and risks associated with impurity, and the unknown concentration of 2,4-DNP purchased on the Internet.

METHODS

Using a sequential mixed method design and based on a hypothetical scenario as if 2,4-DNP was a licensed pharmaceutical drug, first we conducted a qualitative study to explore what product attributes people consider when buying a weight-loss aid. Focus group interviews with six females and three males (mean age = 21.6 ± 1.8 years) were audiorecorded, transcribed verbatim, and subjected to thematic analysis. Sixteen attributes were identified for the Best-Worst Scale (BWS) in the quantitative survey with 106 participants (64% female, mean age = 27.1 ± 11.9 years), focusing on 2,4-DNP. Demographics, weight satisfaction, and risk for eating disorder data were collected.

RESULTS

In contrast to experienced users such as bodybuilders, our study participants approached 2,4-DNP cautiously. Attributes of 2,4-DNP as a hypothetical weight-loss drug comprised a range of desirable and avoidable features. Of the 16 selected attributes, BWS suggested that long-term side effects were the most and branding was the least important attribute. Effectiveness and short-term side effects were also essential. Those in the >25 year group showed least concerns for legality. Neutral BWS scores for cost, treatment, degree of lifestyle changes required, and specificity required for the hypothetical weight-loss drug to be effective were likely caused by disagreement about their importance among the participants, not indifference.

CONCLUSION

With advances in research, 2,4-DNP as a pharmaceutical drug in the future for treating neurodegenerative diseases and potentially for weight loss is not inconceivable. Caution is warranted for interpreting the BWS scores. Owing to the difference in what data represent at individual vs. population levels, with pooled data, the method correctly identifies attributes by which most people are satisfied but misrepresents attributes that are individually very important but not universally agreed. Whilst this may be an advantage in marketing applications, it limits the utility of BWS as a research tool.

Alice, Benzene, and Coffee: The ABCs of Ecopharmacognosy

The sesquicentennial celebrations of the publication of “Alice's Adventures in Wonderland” and the structure of benzene offer a unique opportunity to develop a contemporary interpretation of aspects of Alice's adventures, illuminate the symbolism of benzene, and contextualize both with the globalization of coffee, transitioning to how the philosophy and sustainable practices of ecopharmacognosy may be applied to modulating approaches to the quality, safety, efficacy, and consistency (QSEC) of traditional medicines and dietary supplements through technology integration, thereby improving patient-centered health care.

Adulteration of Dietary Supplements by the Illegal Addition of Synthetic Drugs: A Review

In the last few years, the consumption of dietary supplements, especially those having plants as ingredients, has been increasing due to the common idea that they are natural products posing no risks to human health. In the European Union and the United States, dietary supplements are legally considered as foods/special category of foods, thus are not being submitted to any safety assessment prior to their commercialization. Among the issues that can affect safety, adulteration by the illegal addition of pharmaceutical substances or their analogs is of major concern since unscrupulous producers can falsify these products to provide for quick effects and to increase sales. This review discusses the various classes of synthetic drugs most frequently described as being illegally added to dietary supplements marketed for weight loss, muscle building/sport performance and sexual performance enhancement. Information regarding regulation and consumption is also presented. Finally, several conventional and advanced analytical techniques used to detect and identify different adulterants in dietary supplements and therefore also in foods, with particular emphasis on plant food supplements, are critically described. This review demonstrates that dietary supplement adulteration is an emerging food safety problem and that an effective control by food regulatory authorities is needed to safeguard consumers.

Marketplace analysis demonstrates quality control standards needed for black raspberry dietary supplements

There is currently no standard for the minimum anthocyanin concentration a black raspberry dietary supplement must contain for legal sale in the US. All consumer available black raspberry products (n = 19), packaged as dietary supplements or otherwise prepared (freeze-dried whole and pre-ground powders), were purchased and analyzed for their anthocyanin composition and concentration. Seven of the 19 samples contained no anthocyanins from black raspberry fruit, while three of those seven (without black raspberry fruit) had no anthocyanins of any kind. There was a wide range of anthocyanin concentration within the remaining products (18.1-2,904.8 mg/100 g; n = 12). When expressed as per capsule or per ∼1 teaspoon, concentration ranged from 0.1 to 145.2 mg (average 28 mg; n = 12). Until US dietary supplement labeling comes under regulatory oversight similar to food guidelines, foods are a more dependable source for dietary phenolics than supplements.