Industry testifies against NJ bill that would prohibit sales of weight management supplements to minors

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On September 23, 2024, trade groups and industry stakeholders testified before the New Jersey Legislature’s Assembly Health Committee in opposition to assembly bill A1848, which would prohibit the sale of weight management and muscle building supplements to minors. A similar bill recently failed to pass in California. The New Jersey bill was introduced in previous legislative sessions as A3512 and S2387, and was reintroduced in January of 2024.

The rationale for banning the sale of these supplements to minors is the perceived risk of minors developing eating disorders as a result of weight management or muscle building products. This premise has been rejected by industry. A review of research was unable to find a causal link between dietary supplements and eating disorders.

"Currently there is not credible scientific data that the products identified in this bill lead to or cause body dysmorphia, eating disorders, or other mental health issues. None,” said Steve Mister, president and CEO of The Council for Responsible Nutrition, in his testimony. “Now let's be clear there is no medical literature, despite what the proponents of the bill will tell you, that demonstrates a causal relationship between the use of these products and the onset or exacerbation of eating disorders. They will talk about prospective associations that X exists when Y exists, but that does not mean that X causes Y or that Y causes X. There is simply no evidence that these products cause the problems, and so restricting these products will have no effect on solving the problem."

The Assembly Health Committee voted in favor of bill, which was reported out of committee with amendments for a second reading. “Once again, state legislators are ignoring science and common sense,” said Daniel Fabricant, PhD, president and CEO of the Natural Products Association, which also testified. “Despite failing to identify a single dietary supplement that causes eating disorders, Assemblyman Conaway and his Trenton cronies failed their constituents by advancing legislation that cripples public health. Consumers deserve access to products that support their overall health and wellness. Unfortunately, today in Trenton, the freedom of choice took a significant blow today. We are urging all wellness advocates to email and call their New Jersey state representatives urging their opposition to A1848 when the bill comes before the entire State Assembly.”