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.
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The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) is the national trade association and voice of the herbal
and botanical products industry. AHPA is comprised of more than 300 domestic and foreign companies doing
business as growers, processors, manufacturers, and marketers of herbs and herbal products, including
foods, dietary supplements, cosmetics, and non-prescription drugs. Founded in 1982, AHPA's mission is to
promote the responsible commerce of herbal products. Website: www.ahpa.org.
The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA), founded in 1881, is the national trade association
representing the leading manufacturers and marketers of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, dietary
supplements, and consumer medical devices. Every dollar spent by consumers on OTC medicines saves the
U.S. healthcare system more than $7, contributing a total of $146 billion in savings each year. CHPA is
committed to empowering consumer self-care by preserving and expanding choice and availability of
consumer healthcare products. Visit www.chpa.org.
The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), founded in 1973, is a Washington, D.C.-based trade
association representing 150+ dietary supplement and functional food manufacturers, ingredient suppliers,
and companies providing services to those manufacturers and suppliers. In addition to complying with a host
of federal and state regulations governing dietary supplements and food in the areas of manufacturing,
marketing, quality control and safety, our manufacturer and supplier members also agree to adhere to
additional voluntary guidelines as well as to CRN’s Code of Ethics. Visit www.crnusa.org. Follow us on
Twitter @CRN_Supplements, and LinkedIn.
The United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA) is an international trade association representing nearly 120
leading natural products, dietary supplement, functional food, scientific and technology and related service
companies that share a commitment to provide consumers with natural health products of superior quality,
benefit and reliability. Founded in Utah in 1992, UNPA was instrumental in the passage of the 1994 Dietary
Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) and continues to take a leadership position in legislative and
regulatory issues and industry best practices. Visit www.unpa.com. Follow us on Twitter @UNPANational and LinkedIn.