FDA cautions public on food, dietary supplement ads

MANILA, Philippines - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) yesterday asked the public not to be lured by advertisements on television about food and dietary supplements that are based only on testimonies.

In an advisory, FDA acting director general Dr. Kenneth Hartigan-Go said these products have no therapeutic values or curative effects.

 â€œThese were granted market authorization as food products and not as medicine. Evidence-based or clinical studies on food and dietary supplements need not be submitted to the FDA,” Go said.

 He noted that food supplements are “not intended to treat, diagnose nor cure diseases.”

Go said therapeutic claims could only be made for drug products authorized by the FDA.

The FDA came up with the advisory after observing that several food supplements are being marketed on TV as having therapeutic claims.

 Go cautioned that those who patronize food supplements based on TV commercials face serious health risks.

“Taking food supplements instead of the prescribed drugs may cause serious damage to major tissues and organs that may require long hospitalization or may result in permanent damage to vital organs,” he said.

Go added that relying on treatment based on hype rather than medical science could lead to permanent physical or mental disability.

 â€œFor patients who are suffering from infectious diseases, they may end up as carriers of pathogens and can infect their family members and other people. Some food supplements when taken by a pregnant woman or breastfeeding mother may adversely affect the fetus or baby,” he said.

 The FDA had advised the public to be more discerning about their health and the health products that they buy.