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Sandy Almendarez entered the natural products industry in 2009 when she joined VIRGO as an assistant editor. Since then, she's worked her way up to editor of INSIDER where she writes, edits and manages content for manufacturers and marketers of natural products. In "Sandy's Insights," she explores how companies actions, regulatory rulings and media reports affect the dietary supplement, fortified foods and personal care markets. |
Preventing Health Care Fraud
Posted in
Blog,
Topics,
Government,
Product Claims,
Supplements
Happy New Year's! I hope this year brings another thrilling year in the natural products industry. It is sure to be filled with exciting scientific studies on natural products, great new products and, hopefully, continued growth for this market. Sadly, I’m sure consumers will fall for products made by disreputable companies this year. Retailers can help consumers from becoming victims to these fraudulent schemers by providing quality products with science-backed ingredients.
Retailers can also direct consumers toward FDA materials aimed at solving this problem. Just before Christmas, FDA released a Consumer Update video with health fraud expert Gary Coody. Coody urged consumers to be on guard against fraudulent products claiming to treat, prevent, or cure a wide variety of medical conditions, including the H1N1 flu virus.
The narrator of the video stated consumer fraud costs billions of dollars each year and can cause serious, even fatal, injuries. Coody warns consumers to stay away from products that offer “miracle cures,” cancer treatments, AIDS tests, and quick and easy weight-loss solutions.
While the production of the video reminds me of a Dateline story with flashy graphics and words written across the screen like “dangerous ingredients,” it can be another place where consumers can get helpful information regarding safe natural products.
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