Angry consumers are suing a handful of major retailers for allegedly lying about the ingredients of herbal supplements such as ginseng and gingko biloba.
The accusations against GNC, Walmart, Walgreens and Target could re-ignite debate about the safety and effectiveness of the supplements and whether they need government regulation.
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman earlier this month pulled supplements sold by those four retailers from their stores in New York state. Schneiderman performed DNA testing on nearly 400 samples of store-brand supplements such as gingko biloba, ginseng and St. John’s wort and found 79 percent didn’t include the right active ingredient.
For instance, bottles of ginseng sold at Walmart contained rice and wheat, among other incorrect ingredients.
A National Institutes of Health survey released earlier this month found that 18.5 percent of U.S. adults — that’s about one adult in five — take supplements other than vitamins or minerals as a way to complement their health.
Unlike pharmaceuticals, supplements don’t have to be approved by the FDA before hitting the shelves thanks to a 1994 law.
Dietary supplement makers must only ensure their product label is not misleading and must make products per FDA quality regulations. When the FDA takes action against a dietary supplement maker, it is usually for supplements that have unapproved ingredients.
Supplement manufacturers still have to register with the FDA, a requirement that also extends to drug, device and food facilities.
Altogether six federal class action lawsuits have been filed within the past two weeks, with one lawsuit naming all of the retailers and the remaining suits listing each retailer separately.
All of the lawsuits ask for unspecified monetary damages to make up for allegedly deceiving consumers. Three suits were filed in Arkansas, one in Pennsylvania, one in Illinois and the other in Miami.
GNC refused to comment beyond a statement last week that questioned Schneiderman’s testing methods. The company said it tests its products to ensure they have the right ingredients. A spokesman for Walmart said the company was aware of the allegations and was looking into it. A spokesman for Walgreens declined to comment.
This story originally published at 2:35 p.m. and has been updated since then.
