On Thursday, the California State Council passed a bill banning retailers from selling dietary supplements or over-the-counter (OTC) diet pills sold for weight loss to people under the age of 18 without a prescription.
Under AB 1341, retailers should limit access to weight loss products and “post prominently” health-related notices from the state health department. Retailers who violate the requirements are subject to civil penalties of up to $ 1,000 for each violation.
AB1341 was passed with a 55-13 vote, according to lawmakers who sponsored the bill. The bill will be considered by the state legislature in June, according to Ashley Rachel Lover, Chief of Staff of Democratic Party Congressman Cristina Garcia.
“Serious health risk”
“Weight loss supplements pose a serious health risk, especially to young people,” Democrat Cecilia Aguiar Curry said in an email statement to Natural Products Insider. “They are under constant pressure to” look like this “through the media and social media. This can have catastrophic consequences for their health and can lead to eating disorders and mental health problems. “
The bill “guarantees that these supplements are only available under the supervision of a medical professional,” Agi Alkali added. “In a society with constant drum beats where people have to be’perfect’, requiring young people to make health decisions with doctors is what makes them a healthier life. It will help. “
In support of last year’s bill, Jason Nagata, assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), said a study found that many weight loss supplements were contaminated with substances such as stimulants, steroids, and prescription drugs. He said he found out. “Strict” studies have shown that such weight loss products “provide serious health risks to consumers,” he added.
“We need to do more to protect young people from the negative effects of weight loss supplements and over-the-counter diets on young people,” he said in a post-voting press release. “Because of its easy access, our young people are exposed to eating disorders and many other health effects. We need to confront an industry that prioritizes profits over people.”
Proponents of the bill also argue that there is a link between the use of weight loss supplements and eating disorders.
The Bill’s Strategic Training Initiative for Eating Disorder Prevention (STRIPED) argues that weight loss supplements are under-regulated by the FDA and are more likely to expose young people to deceptive marketing claims. ..
“In our society, physical dissatisfaction is nothing new. But young people are now facing the pressure to build an” ideal “body based on what they see on social media, and eating disorders. And mental health issues, “Aguiar-Curry said in a news release published by Garcia. “While supervision and regulation have decreased, access to dietary supplements has increased.”
“Solutions for finding problems”
Kyle Turk, director of government affairs at the NPA, called the law “a solution for finding problems.” In last year’s testimony, he said, “There is no evidence of a link between dietary supplements and eating disorders.”
In 2019, Turk said his organization would file a request with the FDA under the Information Disclosure Act (FOIA) to investigate whether there were adverse events involving eating disorders or dietary supplements.
“The answer from the FDA is that there is no link between eating disorders and supplements-duration,” he said.
The Responsible Nutrition Council (CRN) and the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) also claim that there is no reliable science that weight loss products cause body dysmorphic or eating disorders. Also, by requiring pharmacies to move floor weight loss products behind the counter, the bill will reduce the time spent caring for patients and give access to supplements essential to the health and wellness of many Californians. The National Chain Drugstore Association claimed to limit it.
Julia Gustafsson, vice president of government relations with CRN, said her organization expressed concern about the text of the bill and testified at a hearing last year.
“We sincerely appreciate the sponsor’s willingness to discuss our concerns and look forward to further dialogue with Congressman Garcia as the bill goes through the legislative process,” Gustafsson said in an email statement. Said.
California is not the only state that imposes restrictions on dietary supplements. Other states, including New York, New Jersey, Missouri, and Massachusetts, are considering similar legislation, according to the NPA.
Dan Fabricant, NPA CEO and former FDA employee, said the proposal was unnecessary and would not protect public health.
“The federal government has a tremendous amount of enforcement power and a long track record of punishing criminals who violate the law,” he said in a press release in response to Thursday’s vote.
