Two major U.S. states have passed laws banning the sale of certain dietary supplements to minors, aiming to protect young people’s health.
These supplements, often marketed for weight loss and muscle growth, have raised serious concerns among health experts about potential risks, including eating disorders.
In New York and New Jersey, it is now illegal for anyone under 18 to purchase these supplements. Violators can face fines—up to $500 in New York and $750 proposed in New Jersey.
The bans reflect growing fears that these unregulated products, not reviewed by the FDA before hitting the market, can harm children and teens.
Experts from STRIPED, a group based at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Boston Children’s Hospital, have warned that misleading advertising targets young people on social media, in gyms, and pharmacies.
S. Bryn Austin, director of STRIPED, emphasized the urgent need for protective measures to prevent children from being exposed to false promises of quick weight loss or muscle gain.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has also advised against the use of these supplements by teens, noting that young users, especially girls, face a higher risk of developing eating disorders.
While health advocates support the bans, supplement industry groups have criticized the laws as overly broad and harmful to consumers who rely on supplements for general wellness.
The Council for Responsible Nutrition called New York’s law “unscientific,” fearing it could restrict access to many trusted products.
More states, including Massachusetts, Illinois, Washington, Texas, and Maryland, are considering similar legislation. Lawmakers in these states express concern over the health risks posed to minors, signaling a broader movement to regulate dietary supplements in the interest of youth health and safety.
