What is in this article?:
- 3 retailers react to Dr. Oz’s show on spiked supplements
- Are retailers responsible for ensuring supplement quality?
- Should retailers demand third-party testing?
Are reputable natural products retailers concerned about the issue of adulterated dietary supplements? We asked three long-time supplement sellers to find out.
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Supplement manufacturers and retailers were likely groaning in unison last week after Dr. Mehmet Oz focused on the issue of adulterated weight loss supplements during his popular daily television show. The Dr. Oz. segment featured five weight loss products—all of which were tested and found to contain undeclared pharmaceutical ingredients.
Oz was visibly upset by what he called “shocking” findings and the potential harm spiked products could pose to consumers. “These over-the-counter supplements are everywhere—in corner health food stores, big cities, small towns and online,” he said on the show.
So what do others think? We spoke to three long-time natural products retailers to get their reaction to the show and the broader issue of adulterated dietary supplements.
The Dr. Oz show portrayed the issue of supplement spiking as a growing problem and "America’s hidden health scandal." What are your thoughts on this? Is supplement spiking becoming more frequent?
Michael Kanter, co-owner and chief visionary officer of Cambridge Naturals in Cambridge, Mass.: I doubt it’s becoming more frequent. I think there’s value in us being aware of it, but I think the hype that comes out of Dr. Oz sometimes exceeds the reality. We need to be careful of becoming reactionary, when the goal of Dr Oz's program is to keep viewership high. When I watched the teaser for the show and saw it was about some weight loss products, it was clear it was about products we would never carry in our store. I'm guessing most ethical natural food retailers wouldn't carry those either.
Jon Fiume, vice president of retail operations and natural products at Ritzman Natural Health Pharmacies in Ohio: I don’t believe that supplement spiking is necessarily becoming more prevalent. It has always existed and will continue to exist. People look for a quick way to make a buck in our country, and many people in our country seek out quick fixes. I do believe, however, that more and more manufacturers practicing spiking will be exposed.