Supplement Labels

 

We have talked a lot about food nutrition labels, what they contain and how to decode all the misleading ways manufacturers try to trick you. Supplement labels, while very similar, have their own little tricks. Here is what to look for.

Before you even get to the details, understand that the FDA regulates dietary supplements under a different set of regulations than those covering foods and drug products. Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA):

• Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded.  That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements but are not required to submit any sort of proof to the FDA.

• The FDA has the authority to take action against any adulterated or misbranded dietary supplement product but only after it reaches the market and some harm has been caused.

Also, supplement manufacturers are prohibited from claiming that their product will treat or cure any condition or disease. Never-the-less they do not shy away from vague claims about their product's ability to "support", "boost" or "strengthen" things like memory, immunity or even slow ageing. This is perfectly legal but take such claims with a healthy dose of skepticism. Another favorite supplement claim is that is is "natural". This has no meaning and can be ignored.

Another claim you will often see on supplement labels is that the facility where they were produced is an "FDA Registered Facility".  This does mean that the facility has registered with the FDA and may occasionally be subject to an inspection. It does not mean that is is "approved" in any way by the FDA. As with food products, "USDA Organic" means that the product is free from certain ingredients and most pesticides and that only non-GMO ingredients are used.

Finally, there is the Supplement Facts panel. This corresponds to the Nutrition Facts label on food products. The FDA requires that serving size, ingredients and percent of the recommended daily value per serving for each ingredient be listed. But the agency does nothing to confirm that what is listed is what is actually in the package. So look for a certification seal from an independent testing laboratory such as ConsumerLab, UL, USP or NSF International.

It is common practice for companies to manufacture their products outside the USA where even the weak regulation of the FDA does not apply. Your best bet is to purchase only from a company that you have researched and, ideally, that manufactures its products in the US or Europe. Clearly this is not a case where shopping for the lowest price is a good strategy.