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[Trojita]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/02/03/gnc-target-wal-mart-walgreens-accused-of-selling-fake-herbals/

A warning to herbal supplement users: Those store-brand ginkgo biloba tablets you bought may contain mustard, wheat, radish and other substances decidedly non-herbal in nature, but they’re not likely to contain any actual ginkgo biloba.

That’s according to an investigation by the New York State attorney general’s office into store-brand supplements at four national retailers — GNC, Target, Walgreens and Wal-Mart. All four have received cease-and-desist letters demanding that they stop selling a number of their dietary supplements, few of which were found to contain the herbs shown on their labels and many of which included potential allergens not identified in the ingredients list.

“Contamination, substitution and falsely labeling herbal products constitute deceptive business practices and, more importantly, present considerable health risks for consumers,” said the letters, first reported today by the New York Times.

The tests were conducted using a process called DNA barcoding, which identifies individual ingredients through a kind of “genetic fingerprinting.” The investigators tested 24 products claiming to be seven different types of herb — echinacea, garlic, gingko biloba, ginseng, saw palmetto, St. John’s wort and valerian root. All but five of the products contained DNA that was either unrecognizable or from a plant other than what the product claimed to be.

Additionally, five of the 24 contained wheat and two contained beans without identifying them on the labels — both substances are known to cause allergic reactions in some people.

Of the four retailers, Wal-Mart was the worst offender: None of its six supplements that were tested was found to contain purely the ingredient advertised. Target’s supplements were the least misleading of the lot — though that isn’t saying much, since tests on six of the brand’s products resulted in only one unqualified positive. Two of Target’s other supplements contained DNA from other plants alongside their purported ingredients, while the remaining three tested negative.

Harvard Medical School assistant professor Pieter Cohen, who is an expert on supplement safety, told the New York Times that the test results were so extreme he found them hard to accept. He suggested that the manufacturing process may have destroyed some of the ingredients’ DNA, rendering the DNA barcode test ineffective.

On the other hand, he said, “if this data is accurate, then it is an unbelievably devastating indictment of the industry.”

This investigation is just the latest in a series of blows against the dietary supplement industry. Supplements are not considered food or drugs, so they have long been only loosely regulated. Federal guidelines require companies to ensure that their products are safe and accurately labeled, but the FDA has little power to enforce that rule.

A 2012 paper published in the Journal of the American Medical Association warned that this lack of regulation of the supplement industry could lead to “adverse events.” In the past five years, tainted supplements have been associated with kidney failure, hepatitis and other problems.

Also in 2012, the Department of Health and Human Services released a report saying that supplements’ claims about their structure and function often lack scientific support. HHS recommended that the FDA seek “explicit statutory authority to review substantiation for structure/function claims” — essentially, it should subject the health claims made by supplement manufacturers to the same kind of scrutiny that drugs must undergo.

The New York attorney general’s letters also cited a 2013 Canadian study of 44 common supplements, in which one-third of herbal supplements that were tested contained no trace of the plant advertised on the bottle.

The Canadian study “alerted the dietary supplement industry to the fact that it is not providing the public with authentic products without substitution, contamination or fillers. It is disappointing that over a year later the attorney general’s researcher reached similar conclusions,” the letters chastised, sounding like a frustrated parent.

In response to the findings, Walgreens told the New York Times that it would remove the offending products from its shelves nationwide, while spokesmen for Wal-Mart and GNC both said that the companies would respond “appropriately.” Target did not respond to requests for comment.

The study was prompted by a Times article that raised questions about the supplements.

 

[maliedoo]

That's why you eat real food.

 

[Leunam]

But I felt soooooooo much better after taking them! And isn't that what's important? Perceived results vs actual results?

 

[gwarm01]

A good example of why we need an organization like the FDA. Take government oversight away and industry doesn't regulate itself.

 

[Ferrio]

It's all the placebo affect anyways.

edit: The allergic thing is a legitimate concern though. But ya the supplement industry is out of fucking control.

 

[NeOak]

But I felt soooooooo much better after taking them! And isn't that what's important? Perceived results vs actual results?

Take placebos then. Same effect, cheaper and more safe.

 

[Guevara]

A good example of why we need an organization like the FDA. Take government oversight away and industry doesn't regulate itself.

The FDA is so worthless I think we need actually need to start over. Give enforcement to a different agency.

 

[captive]

That's why you eat real food.

No, this would be like going to the store to get real food, like say ground beef, coming home opening the package, testing it and finding out its soy.

But I felt soooooooo much better after taking them! And isn't that what's important? Perceived results vs actual results?

No, what's important is people sell what they say they are selling. This has nothing to do with the efficacy of the product.

 

[Transhuman]

All those customers are going to be angry when they realise their fake medicine was actually fake fake medicine.

 

[entremet]

Only supplement I take is a D3 vitamin supplement.

 

[Guevara]

Take placebos then. Same effect, cheaper and more safe.

Anyone have a recommendation for good placebos? I want to make sure it really does nothing.

 

[Raistlin]

Bu bu bu regulation is bad. Think of the job creators!

 

[LurkerPrime]

No matter what you think of herbal supplements' efficacy, these corporations' actions should be deeply disturbing to everyone. They're putting people at risk by deliberately mislabeling their products presumably to fatten their profit margins even further.

Truth in advertising is of paramount importance.

 

[Poodlestrike]

There are real herbal supplements?

 

[DoktorEvil]

A good example of why we need an organization like the FDA. Take government oversight away and industry doesn't regulate itself.

Except it was the NY State attorney's office that found this and not the FDA... off of a NYT article no less.

This investigation is just the latest in a series of blows against the dietary supplement industry. Supplements are not considered food or drugs, so they have long been only loosely regulated. Federal guidelines require companies to ensure that their products are safe and accurately labeled, but the FDA has little power to enforce that rule.

A 2012 paper published in the Journal of the American Medical Association warned that this lack of regulation of the supplement industry could lead to “adverse events.” In the past five years, tainted supplements have been associated with kidney failure, hepatitis and other problems.

Also in 2012, the Department of Health and Human Services released a report saying that supplements’ claims about their structure and function often lack scientific support. HHS recommended that the FDA seek “explicit statutory authority to review substantiation for structure/function claims” — essentially, it should subject the health claims made by supplement manufacturers to the same kind of scrutiny that drugs must undergo.

So... who regulates the supplement industry then?

And people who work at GNC wonder why I question them on their knowledge of supplements.

 

[maliedoo]

No, this would be like going to the store to get real food, like say ground beef, coming home opening the package, testing it and finding out its soy.

No what I mean was, just eat real food, why even bother with all these capsules. If you eat a normal diet, you should be getting plenty of vitamins and minerals to live. How did people survive before all this vitamin craze? I think it's a waste of money, but that's just my 2 cents.

 

[M.W.]

Don't buy your supplements from Walmart for starters.

Mushrooms are where it's at btw.

 

[Leunam]

So... who regulates the supplement industry then?

No idea, but I think people take that as a good thing, what with the FDA being a government body and all.

Arguments sometimes come down to the FDA only caring about money over safety, as if herbal supplement manufacturers are somehow immune to the lure of money as well and only have your best interest in mind.

Edit: guys I was being facetious with my earlier post. :/

 

[PumpkinSpice]

But I felt soooooooo much better after taking them! And isn't that what's important? Perceived results vs actual results?

It's all the placebo affect anyways.

edit: The allergic thing is a legitimate concern though. But ya the supplement industry is out of fucking control.

Take placebos then. Same effect, cheaper and more safe.

It really depends. Some herbal supplements are actually effective. St Johns Wort has been shown to be effective at treating depression, and likely has a similar method of action as SSRI treatments.

The problem with herbal supplements is that there's really no money in trying to study their effects the same way as conventional medicine. Pharmaceutical companies have a large financial incentive to prove their products work, and especially to pass FDA approval. Herbal supplements don't have these hurdles. There's really a massive lack of study into many supplements effectiveness, which is why so much of what you find is solely anecdotal.

 

[AndyD]

So... who regulates the supplement industry then?

And people who work at GNC wonder why I question them on their knowledge of supplements.

The FDA does not approve or regulate marketing of supplements, as they are neither drugs, nor food. They must be safe, but their claims don't need to be proven to the same rigors.

 

[PumpkinSpice]

No idea, but I think people take that as a good thing, what with the FDA being a government body and all.

Arguments sometimes come down to the FDA only caring about money over safety, as if herbal supplement manufacturers are somehow immune to the lure of money as well and only have your best interest in mind.

There are also a lot of people (especially in the US) who can't afford to go to the doctor to get proscriptions, and can't afford the cost of proscription medicine. There are a surprisingly huge number of people who rely on OTC drugs, herbal supplements, and fish antibiotics in order to get by.

 

[M.W.]

The FDA does not approve or regulate marketing of supplements, as they are neither drugs, nor food. They must be safe, but their claims don't need to be proven to the same rigors.

False

Nice edit

FDA regulates both finished dietary supplement products and dietary ingredients. FDA regulates dietary supplements under a different set of regulations than those covering "conventional" foods and drug products. Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA)ec 18, 2

 

[Sho_Nuff82]

This investigation is just the latest in a series of blows against the dietary supplement industry. Supplements are not considered food or drugs, so they have long been only loosely regulated. Federal guidelines require companies to ensure that their products are safe and accurately labeled, but the FDA has little power to enforce that rule.

A 2012 paper published in the Journal of the American Medical Association warned that this lack of regulation of the supplement industry could lead to “adverse events.” In the past five years, tainted supplements have been associated with kidney failure, hepatitis and other problems.

So you're telling me this "organization" that was formed to approve whether people could sell us poison diluted with shredded newspaper, actually has some uses? Golly gee whiz, who da thunk it?

 

[captive]

No what I mean was, just eat real food, why even bother with all these capsules. If you eat a normal diet, you should be getting plenty of vitamins and minerals to live. How did people survive before all this vitamin craze? I think it's a waste of money, but that's just my 2 cents.

I don't disagree. I don't take any supplements. But what if someone wants the benefits of fish oil but doesn't have access to good, fresh fish, or doesn't like fish and wants to take fish oil? I believe what should be in that bottle should be nothing but fish oil, call me crazy.

 

[Raistlin]

No what I mean was, just eat real food, why even bother with all these capsules. If you eat a normal diet, you should be getting plenty of vitamins and minerals to live. How did people survive before all this vitamin craze? I think it's a waste of money, but that's just my 2 cents.

Except many average diets are nutritionally pretty shit ... not to mention life expectancy of the 'how did people survive before...' weren't exactly great.

What constitutes a 'normal diet' anyway? It varies dramatically across cultures and economic classes.



People in here are grouping all nutritional supplements together, regardless of science. That's not much better than homeopathy supporters. The problem exposed here affects things like fish oil, etc too.

 

[gwarm01]

Except it was the NY State attorney's office that found this and not the FDA... off of a NYT article no less.



So... who regulates the supplement industry then?

And people who work at GNC wonder why I question them on their knowledge of supplements.

The FDA does not regulate herbal supplements, which is why they are able to get away with this. If there is a hint of contamination or misbranding of regular medicine the entire factory producing it is shut down and brought up to speed. I should know because it forces me to deal with drug shortages on a regular basis.

 

[Ville Pukema]

Anyone have a recommendation for good placebos? I want to make sure it really does nothing.

I have some really good placebo available if you're serious about this. And I can use my company new delivery system to deliver it to you by tap water at the precise time that fits your schedule! This is to make sure only you get our placebo as it is really potent. We got rights to the patented delivery system the goverments use around the globe in their "Flouridation For Mass Mind Control" scheme. PM me and I will give my Paypal, I will then give you your personal rates!

 

[PumpkinSpice]

Except current average diets are nutritionally pretty shit ... not to mention life expectancy of the 'how did people survive before...' weren't exactly great.

What constitutes a 'normal diet' anyway? It varies dramatically across cultures and economic classes.

Healthy food is also very expensive. We get a fresh box of veggies delivered to our house from local farms weekly, which is a great way to get lots of vitamins/minerals and have a great diet, but it's not cheap.

There are also plenty of people with special dietary needs. There are a bunch of vegetarian oriented supplements to cover vitamins/minerals you would tend to get from meat. You don't need them to "survive" but they're useful for avoiding things like iron deficiency.

 

[Beer Monkey]

Healthy food is also very expensive. We get a fresh box of veggies delivered to our house from local farms weekly, which is a great way to get lots of vitamins/minerals and have a great diet, but it's not cheap.

I can make an eight ounce prime graded sirloin with asparagus and baked potato for less than the price of a Big Mac and fries. I know, because I just did it.

 

[maliedoo]

Except many average diets are nutritionally pretty shit ... not to mention life expectancy of the 'how did people survive before...' weren't exactly great.

What constitutes a 'normal diet' anyway? It varies dramatically across cultures and economic classes.

Well the diet is mostly up to you, and yes I agree that it varies across different cultures and classes, and people have been used to that, but who can honestly prove that all these pills are actually beneficial.

 

[Zophar]

This is hilarious.

 

[PumpkinSpice]

I can make an eight ounce prime graded sirloin with asparagus and baked potato for less than the price of a Big Mac and fries. I know, because I just did it.

Big Mac is expensive but have you looked at the dollar menu? If you're determined you could feed a family of 5 off the dollar menu for less than the cost of a big mac.

Edit: Also many would argue eating a sirloin isn't healthy eating at all.

 

[captive]

Big Mac is expensive but have you looked at the dollar menu? If you're determined you could feed a family of 5 off the dollar menu for less than the cost of a big mac.

Edit: Also many would argue eating a sirloin isn't healthy eating at all.

Registered dieticians probably wouldn't.

 

[arab]

this is fucked up

 

[slit]

this is fucked up

So what have you been taking?

This is hilarious.

Yes I know, it's always a thigh slapper watching people go into anaphylactic shock.

 

[Az987]

The FDA doesn't regulate the supplement industry at all. They can put whatever they want in whatever they want and no one will know unless someone tests it like what happened here.

They really need something to regulate and test supplements. I take quite a few and its always a pain in the ass trying to find a good brand. Even something as common as omega 3s.

 

[The Lamp]

FTC regulates supplements, not the FDA, and they regulate via reaction mostly. Something only gets fixed once it causes public outrage and health issues. It's terrible. You can't really trust the quality of supplements in the US.

Edit: oh it seems the FDA does regulate some supplements?

 

[Surface of Me]

I take a few supplements, never bought from the stores listed here though.

 

[BkMogul]

I don't buy the store-brand. I did buy Nature's Made gingko biloba and I had slight hand tremors afterwards. That was my sign to stop.

 

[slit]

I mean I take fish oil supplements, but it must contain some fish.

It smells fishy in the bottle.

I take a few supplements, never bought from the stores listed here though.

I don't think it matters really, as it's probably a industry wide problem.

Similar results would probably be found wherever you get yours.

 

[outunderthestars]

So my placebo pills were filled with a different placebo? Those bastards!

I don't buy the store-brand.

It is probably the exact same stuff, just put in a more expensive bottle.

 

[Simply Sarah]

As far as I'm aware, by law the only time the FDA is allowed to get involved with supplements is if it is demonstrated that the supplement is dangerous when used as directed, although I'm not sure what level of being dangerous is needed before they can act.

 

[Zophar]

So what have you been taking?



Yes I know, it's always a thigh slapper watching people go into anaphylactic shock.

Come on. Yes, it's terrible that people are accidentally poisoning themselves, but I can't help but be amused that there's outrage over selling "fake" snake oil.

 

[slit]

As far as I'm aware, by law the only time the FDA is allowed to get involved with supplements is if it is demonstrated that the supplement is dangerous when used as directed, although I'm not sure what level of being dangerous is needed before they can act.

It is dangerous if it contains ingredients not listed on the label that people are allergic to.

 

[arab]

So what have you been taking?



Yes I know, it's always a thigh slapper watching people go into anaphylactic shock.

a multivitamin and fishoil tablets but i'm studying pharmacy and we cover supplements. some supplements have some studied benefits as well as adverse effects. putting only trace amounts of the supplement as well as some adulterants that may cause allergic reactions is plain despicable.

 

[DonasaurusRex]

No what I mean was, just eat real food, why even bother with all these capsules. If you eat a normal diet, you should be getting plenty of vitamins and minerals to live. How did people survive before all this vitamin craze? I think it's a waste of money, but that's just my 2 cents.

They've had vitamins for decades and things like magnesium bars (yuck) , and cod liver oil (gross) , roots , herbs and other vitamins were normal. People use supplements all the time and no one doctor or study is going to hold true for what everyone is doing or body needs. Many MANY people probably need to have vitamin D supplements because our diet cant give us that, need sunlight and many of us are indoors and in the summer we might not get much sun. I've dated TWO girls with iron deficiencies , they need to eat well and also take a huge horse-pill of iron supplement from time to time. If you are working out hard it's not going to hurt to take some BCAA or supplement your diet with more protein immediately after you workout.

I agree its silly to think these things do anything other than supplement, but a lot of the criticism sounds just as simple minded as the people that think they are staving off cancer by taking a pill after eating like crap and chain smoking.

 

[slit]

a multivitamin and fishoil tablets but i'm studying pharmacy and we cover supplements. some supplements have some studied benefits as well as adverse effects. putting only trace amounts of the supplement as well as some adulterants that may cause allergic reactions is plain despicable.

Well fortunately it's not hard to find impartial reviews of fish oil supplements.

http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20111206/some-fish-oil-supplements-fishy-on-quality?page=2

Multi-vitamins I don't know as I don't take them.

 

[Zophar]

They've had vitamins for decades and things like magnesium bars (yuck) , and cod liver oil (gross) , roots , herbs and other vitamins were normal. People use supplements all the time and no one doctor or study is going to hold true for what everyone is doing or body needs. Many MANY people probably need to have vitamin D supplements because our diet cant give us that, need sunlight and many of us are indoors and in the summer we might not get much sun. I've dated TWO girls with iron deficiencies , they need to eat well and also take a huge horse-pill of iron supplement from time to time. If you are working out hard it's not going to hurt to take some BCAA or supplement your diet with more protein immediately after you workout.

I agree its silly to think these things do anything other than supplement, but a lot of the criticism sounds just as simple minded as the people that think they are staving off cancer by taking a pill after eating like crap and chain smoking.

The "fakes" referred to only the herbal supplements listed though, not actual synthesized vitamins. Herbals are by and large useless bullshit.

 

[NoctisVsStar]

btw has anyone tried nutrilite double X is it good? since we on the topic of vitamin pills and such.

 

[PumpkinSpice]

The "fakes" referred to only the herbal supplements listed though, not actual synthesized vitamins. Herbals are by and large useless bullshit.

As I said earlier not all of them. St Johns Wort works for one.