Industry coalition reissues advisory against use of dietary supplements as swine flu remedy, cure

WASHINGTON The trade associations of the dietary supplement industry on Monday reiterated its criticism for those companies or individuals promoting any dietary supplement as a treatment or cure for the novel H1N1 influenza virus.

According to federal statutes, no dietary supplement can be promoted to cure, prevent or mitigate any disease. What’s more, the associations noted, there are no scientific data currently published that would suggest any supplement would work in curing or preventing the H1N1 flu.

To date, as many as 147 warning letters have been issued by the Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission since May to companies marketing products — from air filters and face masks to shampoos and supplements — for prevention or cure of H1N1 flu. The American Herbal Products Association, the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, the Council for Responsible Nutrition, the Natural Products Association and the United Natural Products Alliance are therefore re-releasing the following unified advisory for marketers and retailers, as well as for consumers of dietary supplements:

Marketers and retailers of dietary supplements are urged to refuse to stock or sell any supplements that are presented as treating or curing H1N1. In addition, marketers and retailers should refrain from promoting any dietary supplement as a cure or treatment for H1N1.