Trade associations remind industry: ‘Dietary supplements cannot claim to cure or prevent Ebola’

The announcement comes in the wake of three warning letters to companies for making Ebola-related claims on various products, including essential oils and ‘nano silver’ products. To read those warning letters, please follow these links: Natural Solutions Foundation​; Young Living​; dōTERRA International, LLC​.

A joint statement from the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA), the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA), the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), the Natural Products Association (NPA), and the United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA) says: “We are unaware of any scientific data supporting the use of dietary supplements to prevent Ebola virus infection or treat Ebola virus disease. ​

“Furthermore, federal law does not allow dietary supplements to claim to treat any diseases, including Ebola virus disease.”​

The five associations have endorsed the following unified advisory for marketers and retailers, as well as for consumers of dietary supplements:

•              Marketers and retailers of dietary supplements are urged to refuse to stock or sell any supplements that are presented as treating or curing Ebola virus disease, or preventing Ebola virus infection.

•              Marketers and retailers should refrain from promoting any dietary supplement as a cure or treatment for Ebola virus disease.

•              Anyone who believes they may have Ebola virus disease or may have come in contact with the Ebola virus should contact a healthcare professional immediately. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more information on Ebola virus disease and the proper actions to take if you suspect you are ill.

“While there are many dietary supplements that have much to offer in terms of enhancing general immune function, therapies for the treatment of Ebola virus disease should only be recommended by qualified healthcare professionals or public health authorities,”​ added the associations.

“Each of the associations and its member companies remain committed to providing the American public with high-quality products for supporting personal health and permitting “self-care” choices. Each of the associations is also committed to recognizing that self-care is discouraged for some health conditions. The current outbreak of Ebola virus disease is such a condition,”​ they added.