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Doctors and advocates urge bans or restrictions on youth access to diet pills and muscle‑building supplements
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Summary
Physicians and public‑health researchers told the committee that weight‑loss and muscle‑building supplements pose documented health risks and are often marketed to youth; industry representatives urged caution about state restrictions, citing federal preemption and economic impact.
Pediatricians, public‑health researchers and patient advocates urged the Joint Committee on Public Health to advance HB 24 40 / H.25 30 and S.16 20, bills that would restrict sale of over‑the‑counter diet pills and muscle‑building supplements to minors and impose age verification for purchases.
Dr. Brynn Austin of Harvard presented evidence that many weight‑loss and muscle‑building supplements have been found to contain undeclared prescription drugs, steroids and other contaminants and linked the products to serious harms including liver injury, stroke and, in some cases, death. "Many have been found to be laced with prescription drugs, banned substances, steroids, and other dangerous chemicals," she testified, and cited studies showing higher rates of emergency visits associated with supplements.
Pediatricians and pediatric organizations testified that these products are unregulated before market entry, commonly advertised to teens on social media, and are discouraged by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Several young witnesses described personal experiences of body‑image harm after using marketed supplements.
Representatives of industry trade associations — including the Council for Responsible Nutrition and the Natural Products Association — opposed the bills, arguing federal law (DSHEA) governs supplements, that the bills would create compliance and commerce challenges, and disputing a causal link to eating disorders. The committee took testimony from both sides and indicated it would consider evidence and legal questions about preemption and enforcement while reviewing the bills.
