FDA Seizes Taurine Supplements for Autism Claims 40213

FDA Seizes Taurine Supplements for Autism Claims

LAKE OSWEGO, Ore.--At the request of the Food andDrug Administration (FDA), U.S. marshals seized hundreds of bottles of Kirkman'sHypoAllergenic Taurine Capsules from Humphrey Laboratories after FDA determinedthe products made unsubstantiated health claims that made the productsunapproved new drugs.

Humphrey Laboratories, which does business as KirkmanLaboratories, sells dietary supplements online and through mail order andpromotes itself as "the only manufacturing company designing productsspecifically for autistic individuals." It offers more than 100 productsfor autism, including DMG, Cod Liver Oil and a multivitamin called SuperNu-Thera. The seized products were 325 mg taurine capsules; one claim on the Website (www.kirkmanlabs.com) included"Taurine may be beneficial in developmental disorder" and recommendeddosages for individuals with autism.

According to FDA, the products violate the Federal Food, Drugand Cosmetic Act, which holds that dietary supplements may not make claims thata product will cure, mitigate, treat or prevent disease. "FDA will continueto pursue products that violate the law," said Lester Crawford, FDA deputycommissioner. "This seizure emphasizes our commitment to protect the publichealth by keeping the marketplace free from products that make medical claimsnot substantiated by scientific evidence."

Kirkman Laboratories did not have a comment by press time.