(WASHINGTON, D.C.) —The U.S. dietary supplement industry commends the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for taking action to protect consumers by calling out marketers who make illegal and unsubstantiated drug claims related to COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2. In February, the industry issued strong warning to companies and consumers to avoid marketing or using dietary supplements that are presented as treating, curing or preventing COVID-19.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March, FDA has sent warning letters to 16 companies responding to claims that their products can prevent, treat or cure COVID-19. The agency has cited language on the companies’ websites and social media channels as evidence of these deceptive claims. We applaud FDA for taking swift action and urge continued aggressive prosecution against products being promoting with illegal and unsubstantiated claims of prevention or treatment of COVID-19.
The four leading trade associations representing the dietary supplement industry support the responsible sale and use of vitamins, minerals, herbs and other dietary supplements that provide many positive benefits promoting better health and wellness. As we face the unprecedented threat of this global pandemic, illegal and unsubstantiated drug claims misdirect consumers toward ineffective products, divert them from seeking critical medical care, and endanger the public health.
While research supports the use of certain dietary supplements to maintain healthy immune system responses, we are not aware of any clinical research studies that demonstrate the efficacy of using a dietary supplement specifically to prevent or to treat COVID-19. Even if research is conducted and published on this topic, the law that regulates dietary supplements in the U.S., the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, prohibits marketers of dietary supplements from promoting any dietary supplement product by making disease prevention or treatment claims.
The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA), the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA), the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), and the United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA) in February endorsed the following unified advisory for marketers and retailers, as well as for consumers of dietary supplements:
- Marketers and retailers of dietary supplements should refuse to stock or sell any supplements that are presented as treating, curing or preventing COVID-19.
- Marketers and retailers should refrain from promoting any dietary supplement as a cure, treatment or prevention for COVID-19.
- Consumers should avoid any product that is claiming to treat, cure or prevent COVID-19 and report such products to the Food and Drug Administration.
- Anyone who believes they may have COVID-19 or may have come in contact with the novel coronavirus should contact a healthcare professional immediately. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more information on the coronavirus disease and the proper actions to take if you suspect you are ill.
Each trade association and its member companies prioritizes the safety and well-being of consumers above all else. The responsible industry is committed to providing the public with safe, high-quality dietary supplement products that provide many positive benefits to promote better health and wellness.
Michael McGuffin, President
American Herbal Products Association
Scott Melville, President and CEO
Consumer Healthcare Products Association
Steve Mister, President and CEO
Council for Responsible Nutrition
Loren Israelsen, President
United Natural Products Alliance
AHPA: Haley Chitty (hchitty@ahpa.org/301.588.1171 x104)
CHPA: Lauren Bloomberg (lbloomberg@chpa.org/202.429.3534)
CRN: Holly Vogtman (hvogtman@crnusa.org/202.204.7665)
UNPA: Loren Israelsen (loren@unpa.com/801.474.2572)
