“Dietary supplements” that contain hidden drugs

The Food and Drug Administration has identified more than 560 “supplement” or “herbal remedy” products that contain hidden or deceptively labeled ingredients. These undeclared compounds include the same active ingredients found in FDA-approved drugs or their analogs, unapproved and withdrawn drugs, novel synthetic steroids and other chemicals that are not dietary ingredients. Common categories include products for weight loss, pain, sexual enhancement and body building.

Tainted products are sold on the internet and in retail outlets, spas and fitness centers. They are increasingly being promoted and sold on social media platforms such as Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter.

In recent years, the FDA has taken numerous regulatory and enforcement actions to identify and remove tainted products from the marketplace. These actions include screening products at import offices, working with firms to recall tainted products, issuance of warning letters and import alerts, seizure of products and criminal prosecutions. FDA has issued numerous public alerts and consumer education materials to inform consumers and healthcare professionals about the serious public health threat posed by these products.