Label Accuracy and Quality of Select Weight-Loss Dietary Supplements Sold on or near US Military Bases
2024

Label Accuracy and Quality of Weight-Loss Supplements for Military Personnel

Sample size: 44 publication 10 minutes Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Cindy Crawford, Andrea T. Lindsey, Bharathi Avula, Kumar Katragunta, Ikhlas A. Khan, Patricia A. Deuster

Primary Institution: Consortium for Health and Military Performance, Department of Military and Emergency Medicine, Uniformed Services University

Hypothesis

What is the accuracy and quality of weight-loss dietary supplements sold on or near US military bases?

Conclusion

Most weight-loss dietary supplements analyzed had inaccurate labels and were deemed unsafe according to the OPSS Scorecard.

Supporting Evidence

  • 82% of products had inaccurate labels.
  • 61% of products had ingredients listed that were not detected.
  • 36% of products contained hidden ingredients.
  • 91% of products scored a 'no-go' on the OPSS Scorecard.

Takeaway

Many weight-loss supplements sold near military bases have wrong information on their labels, which can be dangerous for people trying to lose weight.

Methodology

The study analyzed 44 weight-loss dietary supplements purchased from military bases using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to verify label accuracy.

Limitations

The study only analyzed products from 12 military bases, which may not represent all products sold at other bases.

Participant Demographics

The study focused on dietary supplements used by military personnel, particularly those dealing with overweight and obesity.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.3390/nu16244369

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