An impending New York law restricting the sale of diet pills and dietary supplements to children is prompting concerns, with some opponents questioning the measure's perceived broad language. The law, which is set to take effect next month, will prohibit retailers from selling individuals under 18 protein powders, drinks and food which also contain ingredients constituting weight-loss or muscle-building dietary supplements.
The Council for Responsible Nutrition argued in a lawsuit filed Wednesday the statute’s lack of a more specific definition of supplements can lead to unnecessary bans on product sales, hindering financial gain for New York residents. “Without any guidance from the state ... the act compels retailers and marketers to err on the side of restricting sales of products with lawful claims, thereby chilling their right to sell and make lawful claims for these dietary supplements and restricting New York consumers’ ... rights to access these products,” the councilFactors for determining whether a product's marketing materials promote weight loss or muscle-building include their visual representations, along with the pill or supplement’s location in a retail establishment. The law’s advertising regulations infringe on speech condoning legal activity, according to the counci