Healthy Insider Podcast 49: Claims substantiation complexities

In the United States, claims for supplement products are governed by two federal agencies – FDA and FTC – but they want different things. To add to the confusion, a study may satisfy FTC's demands, but may not be able to support a claim in FDA's eyes.

Sandy Almendarez, VP of Content

April 5, 2017

In the United States, claims for supplement products are governed by two federal agencies—FDA and FTC—but they want different things. FDA polices claims to ensure they are fit for the product that carries the claim. FTC isn’t concerned with product type, but enforces that claims are truthful (not misleading). To add to the confusion, a study may satisfy FTC’s demands, but may not be able to support a claim in FDA’s eyes.

To help sort out claims substantiation, attorney Justin Prochnow, shareholder, Greenberg Traurig LLP, discusses these complexities with Sandy Almendarez, editor in chief, Natural Products Insider, at Natural Products Expo West 2017. In this episode, they discuss:

  • FTC, FDA and NAD: who they are and what they “govern” regarding claims

  • The substantiation standard of “competent and reliable scientific evidence,” and how health and nutrition brands can meet this standard

  • The type of studies that will most likely substantiate claims (like real estate, location matters!)

About the Author

Sandy Almendarez

VP of Content, Informa

Summary

• Well-known subject matter expert within the health & nutrition industry with more than 15 years’ experience reporting on natural products.

• She cares a lot about how healthy products are made, where their ingredients are sourced and how they affect human health.

• She knows that it’s the people behind the businesses — their motivations, feelings and emotions — drive industry growth, so that’s where she looks for content opportunities.

Sandy Almendarez is VP of Content for SupplySide and an award-winning journalist. She oversees the editorial and content marketing teams for the B2B media brands SupplySide Supplement Journal and SupplySide Food & Beverage Journal, the education programming for the health and nutrition trade shows SupplySide Connect New Jersey and SupplySide West, the education program SupplySide Fresh for industry newcomers and community engagement across the SupplySide portfolio. She is a seasoned content strategist with a passion for health, good nutrition, sustainability and inclusion. With over 15 years of experience in the health and nutrition industry, Sandy brings a wealth of knowledge to her role as a content-focused business leader. With specialization in topics ranging from product development to content engagement, creative marketing and c-suite decision making, her work is known for its engaging style and its relevance for business leaders in the health and nutrition industry.

In her free time, Sandy loves running, drinking hot tea and watching her two kids grow up. She brews her own “Sandbucha” homemade kombucha; she’s happy to share if you’re ever in Phoenix!

Awards:

Speaker credentials

Resides in

  • Phoenix, AZ

Education

  • Arizona State University

Contact:

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