The New York Attorney General has requested that 4 companies release their processing plans to him in response to DNA testing of herbal supplements. Products that are labeled by Wal-Mart, Target, GNC and Walgreens were shown to inaccurately reflect the ingredients in the bottle.
While this is an obvious problem for those companies and products, it brings up the larger problem that nutritional supplements are not regulated by the FDA. A company is allowed to produce a product and label it without having to prove what it contains. There are limitations on the claims that can be made for the efficacy of the product, but the product itself is not tested. When it comes to supplements, you really do not know what it contains.
There are several labeling companies that will review the product and verify the contents, but it is not required for a company to do this. If you are a competitive athlete it is very important that you understand how possible it is to take a supplement that you think does not contain any banned substance and test positive. This happens quite frequently with athletes because there is no guaranteed way to know what you are consuming.
When possible, focus your efforts on following a solid training program, getting adequate nutrition to support your goals and enough rest to repair. If you choose to take a supplement stick with brand names and look for labels that say it is free of banned substances and take them at your own risk.
http://www.nbcnews.com/business/consumer/ny-ag-takes-aim-popular-herbal-supplements-n299161
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