In a recent review of supplements used for arthritis, products claiming to contain chondroitin came up short when the supplements actual contents were clinically evaluated. Uncovered in a recent MSN report, ConsumerLab.com had 20 joint “improvement” supplements reviewed by two independent laboratories to identify if the supplement’s content matched the label. Of the supplements tested, 40% did not contain the contents as they were listed on the label. Chondroitin, the effective but costly agent in the supplements, was found to be significantly lacking in the products compared to labeled concentration per serving. In fact, in some cases, chondroitin did not appear at all in the mixture. In a separate unrelated report, similar findings occurred when Hoodia, a weight loss aid derived from an African cactus-like plant, was analyzed for content. Findings identified little-to-no Hoodia in the products tested, renouncing claims that significant amounts of the active ingredient were contained within the supplement.

In an MSN interview with Dr. Wallace Sampson, a clinical professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, Wallace was not surprised by the findings from the ConsumerLab.com investigations. According to Wallace, knowledge of these types of manufacturer activities has been known for a long time. Wallace’s concerns were mirrored by Dr. Joan Von Feldt, associate professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania who suggested that the dosage and labeling is a problem with many of these products and she added concerns of possible contaminants existing in some supplements.

The supplement industry is “buyer beware” market. The FDA regulates dietary supplements under a different set of regulations than those covering “conventional” foods and drug products (prescription and over-the-counter). Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA), the dietary supplement manufacturer is responsible for ensuring that a dietary supplement meet all safety requirements before being marketed or sold to the public. The FDA is then responsible for taking legal action against any unsafe dietary supplement product after it reaches the market. Most often, supplement manufacturers are not required to register their products with the FDA or receive FDA approval prior to producing or selling dietary supplements. It is the responsibility of the manufacturer to ensure the product label information is accurate and avoids any misleading claims. With this being said, consumers considering using dietary supplements should research the products and the respective manufacturer before using any of their products. ConsumerLab.com certifies companies that have their products tested through their program. According to MSN, evaluation of all the ConsumerLab.com certified products they investigated contained the labeled contents.