NPA Responds to 'Misleading' CR Story

WASHINGTONThe Natural Products Association (NPA) is challenging a recent Consumer Reports story, which the industry organization claimed includes "false, sweeping declarations." Published in the magazine's October issue, the article "4 ways to avoid supplement dangers" offers tips to "use supplements safely."

However, NPA CEO John Shaw defended the supplement industry, and called on Consumer Reports to correct the article immediately.

Its highly unfortunate that a publication dedicated to serving consumers best interests would run a story that gets the facts wrong on dietary supplements," Shaw said. "This article from Consumer Reports is peppered with factual inaccuracies and misleading blanket statements that could scare consumers out of taking products that can benefit their health."

For instance, the article connects vitamin E to an increased risk of prostate cancer, which Shaw said is "negligent." He noted many vitamin E studies show significant health benefits, adding, "It is irresponsible to pick one study and mislead your readers to believe that vitamin E is harmful."

In the article, Consumer Reports warned consumers to be skeptical of claims, stating, "federal law does not require that dietary supplements be proved safe to the FDAs satisfaction or that supplement companies show that most label claims are accurate."

In response, Shaw said: "To say that dietary supplements do not have to be safe or accurately labeled under federal law is entirely untrue. In actuality, the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act does require supplements to be safe and label claims to be accurate, otherwise the product is considered adulterated."

Shaw, on behalf of NPA, said he welcomes the opportunity to serve as resource for Consumer Reports' corrections.

However, the offer will likely be ignored, as Consumer Reports has a history of negative supplement coverage. In September 2012, the publication called the industry "unregulated" and detailed the top 10 supplement "hazards."