This week, the state of New York introduced legislation that prohibits the sale of supplements for the purpose of muscle building and weight loss to anyone under the age of 18. It’s by no means a common situation across the rest of the US or around the world for that matter, but something sports nutrition consumers in that area are going to have to deal with. We thought we’d follow up with clarification or more details on what this can encompass and include, as there are some interesting guidelines.
The exact wording can be seen below and is well worth reading as it states some deep-reaching points, including any supplement promoted for the purpose of muscle building or weight loss, as well as some specific ingredients that could seemingly be in a supplement that doesn’t highlight those benefits.
- (a) whether a product contains:
- (i) an ingredient approved by the federal food and drug administration for weight loss or muscle building;
- (ii) a steroid; or
- (iii) creatine, green tea extract, raspberry ketone, garcinia cambogia, green coffee bean extract;
- (b) whether the product’s labeling or marketing bears statements or images that express or imply that the product will help:
- (I) modify, maintain, or reduce body weight, fat, appetite, overall metabolism, or the process by which nutrients are metabolized; or
- (ii) maintain or increase muscle or strength;
- (c) whether the product or its ingredients are otherwise represented for the purpose of achieving weight loss or building muscle; or
- (d) whether the retailer has categorized the dietary supplement for weight loss or muscle building by:
- (I) placing signs, categorizing, or tagging the supplement with statements described in paragraph (b) of this subdivision;
- (ii) grouping the supplements with other weight loss or muscle building products in a display, advertisement, webpage, or area of the store; or
- (iii) otherwise representing that the product is for weight loss or muscle building
As mentioned, the law names some ingredients that are common in sports nutrition supplements, not always found in muscle builders and fat burners, but common nonetheless like creatine, raspberry ketones, garcinia cambogia, and green coffee bean. It does exclude protein-based nutrition products saying “shall not include protein powders, protein drinks and foods marketed as containing protein” unless it has added components for muscle building and weight loss, which is something brands do.
The mention of the ingredients does help identify what those under 18 can and can not purchase, but the wide-reaching description of muscle building and weight loss marketing, potentially covers a whole host of supplements. You will find supplements promoting muscle building and weight loss effects that could fall into this whole thing in the area of gut health, natural anabolics, complex post-workouts, GDAs, hormone health, recovery supplements, some amino acid formulas, and, of course, testersone boosters.
Basically, if you’re under 18, live in the state of New York, and have interest in a product that says anything about muscle building or weight loss on the front, there is a good chance the retailer won’t sell it to you. Not all supplements specifically say those keywords, so it could be other phrases that land it in the crosshairs like muscle size, increased growth, thermogenesis, and appetite control. If you do fall into this situation and have any sort of experience or information that’d be worth adding here, be sure to reach out.
