Earlier this month a bill that would restrict the sale of weight loss supplements and impose heavy fines for noncompliance was introduced in the California State legislature.  The bill is designated AB 1341 and would prohibit retailers from selling weight loss supplements to anyone under 18 years of age.  The bill would also require retailers to limit access to these supplements and allow their sale to consumers only by a store employee.  The products would be sequestered so that they cannot be taken directly from the shelf without the assistance of a store employee.  The bill defines weight loss products as “thermogens, lioptropics, hormones and appetite suppressants.  The California State Department of Health would make the final determination as what is or is not a weight loss supplement.  Another provision of the bill is the creation of a warning by the health department to be displayed alongside the products.  The bill also mandates fines.  The bill is scheduled for its first committee hearing on March 22.

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Picture Credit Susanne Kuehne

Posted on 1 March 2021