NPA: Consumer Reports supplements probe is insulting to consumers

01-Aug-2012 - Last updated on 02-Aug-2012 at 11:59 GMT

John Shaw: 'The legitimate supplement industry which we represent wants the criminals selling these illegal drugs out of business'

A probe into dietary supplements published in the September 2012 edition of Consumer Reports misleads and insults consumers and smears the industry, claims the Natural Products Association (NPA).

In the article, entitled, ‘Vitamins & Supplements, 10 dangers that may surprise you’, Consumer Reports warns shoppers about overdosing - and choking - on vitamins, supplements spiked with prescription drugs, inadequate warning labels about drug interactions and risky side effects.

It also questions the efficacy of omega-3s, calcium and antioxidants, and says data shows supplements were associated with 115 deaths and 2,100 hospitalizations between 2007 and spring 2012 (although it acknowledges that these figures are dwarfed by the number of problems reported about prescription medications over the same period).

Headings in the article include: ‘Some supplements are really prescription drugs’ and ‘None are proven to cure major diseases’.

It also features a photograph of Dr Pieter Cohen, assistant professor at Harvard Medical School and an internist at Cambridge Health Alliance, with the caption: ‘Complications? Pieter Cohen with a patient who had a heart attack while on supplements’.

Legitimate players want authorities to crack down on criminals selling drugs masqerading as supplements

But the probe, which comes hot on the heels of an article in the Chicago Tribune alleging the industry is dogged by “serious and widespread” manufacturing problems, “distorts the facts with just another smear campaign”, claimed NPA executive director and CEO John Shaw,

Supplements, he observed, are not intended to ‘cure major diseases’, while products containing prescription drugs are illegal.

“Supplements are foods, not drugs. If a product makes disease claims or includes a drug, then it’s not a supplement.”

But rogue elements in the trade must be brought to justice, he agreed: “The legitimate supplement industry who we represent wants the criminals selling these illegal drugs out of business.”

You can choke on a supplement (and anything else you swallow as well)

As for safety, he did not provide figures to challenge those presented in the CR article, but said: “Data from the government shows that supplements have an excellent safety record, especially considering the millions of supplements sold annually.”

Meanwhile, figures about the number of reports received by the FDA about choking on supplements (900 in five years) were provided without any context, he added.

“Someone could choke anytime swallowing anything, not just supplements. This is another example of fear-mongering by Consumer Reports. Using this issue as an argument against taking supplements is insulting to consumers.”

Welch: Article relies on disputed and inaccurate studies

Cohen,Pieter_MD — Pieter Cohen: 'Although it’s a painful truth for the industry to hear, healthy consumers don’t need supplements.'

Senior vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs Dr. Cara Welch also took issue with the sections of the article disputing the efficacy of supplements, which she claimed relied on “disputed and inaccurate studies to draw the wrong conclusions.

“For example, the American Heart Association has recommended a diet high in omega-3s and supplementation for those who cannot get enough from their diet. In addition, the federal government itself has approved health claims for supplements, such as associating vitamin D and calcium intake with a reduced risk of osteoporosis.”

In an ideal world, we can get all the nutrients we need from a healthy balanced diet, she added. But we don’t live in an ideal world: “Research shows that supplements can address nutritional deficiencies and improve overall health.

“Getting an adequate amount of nutrition from the diet is ideal, but unfortunately, many Americans are not getting the nutrients they need from the foods they eat.”

Cohen: Healthy consumers don’t need supplements

However, Dr Cohen told NutraIngredients-USA he thought Consumer Reports made many valid points, adding: "Although it’s a painful truth for the industry to hear, healthy consumers don’t need supplements.

"There is no evidence that a healthy person would benefit from obtaining a nutrient from a supplement rather than food.

"I agree with Consumer Reports that consumers should obtain their nutrients from food, and there’s no need for 'extra insurance' from supplements – in fact, for many consumers, supplements might do more harm than good."

Click on the link below to read the Consumer Reports article.