On Sep. 23, the New Jersey State Assembly Health Committee passed an age-restriction bill for muscle building supplements (A1848) to customers under 18 years of age. The bill will now be reviewed by the General Assembly.
The bill is sponsored by Herb Conaway, Jr. (D, Legislative District 7) and Benjie E. Wimberly (D, Legislative District 35); and co-sponsored by Shanique Speight (D, Legislative District 29) and Sterley Stanley (D, Legislative District 18).
According to the bill, “No person shall sell, offer to sell, or offer for promotional purposes, either directly or indirectly by an agent or employee, any over-the-counter pill or dietary supplement for muscle building to a minor under 18 years of age, unless the minor is accompanied by a parent or guardian.”
The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) opposed A1848, stating the dietary supplement industry accounts for more than $9.4 billion in direct economic impact annually, more than $2.7 billion annually in taxes and thousands of jobs across the state. In its testimony, CRN argues the bill restricts safe, legal and regulated products for all consumers regardless of age. It also argues requiring retailers and distributors to seek age verification means less access for everyone.
CRN argues, among other things, the bill is overly broad, attempts to restrict products based on claims rather than identifying illegal ingredients or demonstrating actual harm, does not regulate online sales, and places unreasonable compliance, enforcement and financial burdens on consumers, retailers and government officials.
Steve Mister, president and CEO of CRN stated, “Currently, there is no credible scientific data that the products identified in this bill lead to or cause body dysmorphia, eating disorders, or other mental health issues. None. 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 exist 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 Natural Products Association (NPA) also testified about the bill. Daniel Fabricant, PhD, president and CEO of NPA said “state legislators are ignoring science and common sense.”
“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,” Fabricant said. “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.”
