Claims & Labeling: 5 Takeaways from the Dietary Supplements Regulatory Summit – WholeFoods Magazine

At the 7th annual Dietary Supplements Regulatory Summit, held in Washington D.C. and virtually on July 21, 2022, speakers dissected trends in the supplement market and educated on pressing issues. Product labeling and claims were a hot topic. Rend Al-Mondhiry, Partner, Amin Talati Wasserman LLP, told attendees, Our firm is either helping clients in the food and supplement space try to avoid this risk, or were helping them respond to threatened or filed suits regarding allegedly misleading claims. Its become the cost of doing business for these industries, and one of the main reasons our firm opened up an office in Californiawhich is where most of these suits originate. Most of what we see in the class action realm, whether its a filed or threatened suit, are actions where consumers allege they were deceived by false or misleading claims.

Al-Mondhiry discussed common themes in cases that are increasing across the supplement space. And though the courts have typically sided with the defendant or supplement company, she urged caution, and advised attendees to be increasingly aware of current trends and case precedents in the space.

There has been a rise in cases related FD&C Act compliance. Allegations are primarily tied to state law and regulation. Even where labeling or the product is compliant, Al-Mondhiry said, claims may be misleading. Due to this, noncompliance doesnt mean the case will succeed. It is fact- and context-specific.

Al-Mondhiry presented case examples, including Greenberg v. Target Corp., (9th Cir. 2021) targeting a biotin supplement with the claim helps support healthy hair and skin. Greenberg filed a putative class action under Californias Unfair Competition Law, alleging that most people do not benefit from biotin supplementation, making the labels deceptive. The panel affirmed summary judgment in favor of the manufacturer and distributors. There is substantiation that biotin helps support healthy hair and skin, so that statement was truthful, not misleading, and is a permissible structure/function claim.

Al-Mondhiry summed it up: Simply put, manufacturers may make structure/function claims about a nutrients general role on the human body without disclosing whether the product will provide a health benefit to each consumer.

Another trend to be aware of: Legal suits over natural claims. Use of the claim natural in marketing and advertising has been deemed false, deceptive, and misleading because products allegedly contained non-natural, synthetic ingredients. Example: Orrico v. Nordic Naturals (E.D. N.Y. 2022). Other undefined terms can be a target such as clean and pure.

There also has been an increase in environmental claims in recent years. Lawsuits have typically been filed by consumers and non-profits. According to FTC Green Guides, marketers should avoid unqualified general environmental benefit claims. Avoid broad claims with a range of meanings. This messaging may convey that the product has no negative environmental impact, and such claims should be avoided. The general thinking, Al-Mondhiry said, is that it is unlikely that marketers can substantiate all reasonable interpretations of these claims.

There have been attacks on the placement of DSHEA disclaimers. Example: Barnes v. Iovate Health Sciences U.S.A. Inc. (N.D. Cal. June 2021). This described an allegation that products were misbranded, unlawful supplements, and/or unapproved drugs. There has been an increase in citing noncompliance with 21 CFR 101:93 (d): the disclaimer shall appear on each panel or page where there such is a statement.

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Claims & Labeling: 5 Takeaways from the Dietary Supplements Regulatory Summit - WholeFoods Magazine