This Podcast Will Kill You Ep 139 Supplements: “This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA”
May 7, 2024
Dive into the booming world of dietary supplements and uncover the truth behind the flashy claims. Explore the murky waters of regulation and consumer safety, as well as the historical marketing tactics that shaped the industry. The episode reveals the alarming growth of the supplement market, especially during the pandemic, and discusses the serious implications of underreported adverse events. It also addresses the global crisis of undernutrition, contrasting how marketing exploits fears while lacking scientific backing.
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Early Vitamin Ads
- In the 1920s vitamin ads were everywhere, often targeting parents with fear-mongering tactics.
- They warned that without their specific vitamin concoction, children's development would suffer and they'd be constantly sick.
1906 Act's Limitations
- The 1906 Federal Food and Drugs Act mainly focused on accurate labeling, not pre-market safety testing of drugs.
- This lack of oversight led to tragedies like the Elixir Sulfanilamide incident in 1937, causing widespread illness and death.
Elixir Sulfanilamide Tragedy
- The 1937 Elixir Sulfanilamide incident, where a chemist added antifreeze to a medicine, tragically resulted in over 100 deaths.
- This highlighted the critical need for pre-market safety testing of drugs, leading to the 1938 Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.