Wilderness Family Naturals, which supplies and manufactures dietary supplements and food products, has signed a consent decree barring the use of unproven health claims both through the internet and on labeling relating to its brands.
The FDA alleges that several products being sold by Wilderness Family were promoted as being able to treat, cure or even prevent certain diseases both through their own materials and from links on their website.
These claims are reported to have include playing up potential health benefits for cancer, diabetes, heart disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, HIV, AIDS, and arthritis.
Proven claims
Michael Chappell, acting associate commissioner for regulatory affairs at the FDA, said the decree was a vital step in ensuring American consumers were only receiving products with proven health claims.
“Claims made by Wilderness Family might distract consumers from seeking products that have been shown to be safe and effective in treating disease,” he stated.
Asides from removing disease claims from their brands’ labels as well as related websites, Wilderness Family said it would also look to employ independents experts when reviewing any claims for their products ahead of obtaining FDA certification.
Failure by the company to comply with the agreement could see the FDA ordering the group to stop manufacturing and distributing products that do not meet the decree or wider national regulations. The group will also face fines of $1,000 per day for each violation of the agreement.
The consent decree was signed 8 December at the District Court for the District of Minnesota.
A spokesperson for the company was unavailable for comment at the time of going to press.