header-logo header-logo

Time for a litigation supplement?

10 October 2013 / Sarah Moore
Issue: 7579 / Categories: Opinion
printer mail-detail
130896003

Sarah Moore exposes some regulatory deficiencies in the world of vitamins & supplements

In the UK, the “nutritional supplement” and vitamin industry is big business—currently worth around £400m a year. One factor facilitating this growth is a regulatory environment that allows companies to promote their products in flagrant breach of labelling and advertising rules, with little risk of significant penalty or large scale consumer litigation.

As a result, the UK consumer is left exposed to the misleading claims of some manufacturers who promote their “health” products with labelling fictions that have little to do with the product inside the packaging. On the whole, the risk for consumers of vitamins and supplements is not one of personal injury per se, but rather that they purchase expensive products on the basis of fraudulent labelling claims. Within this context it is vital that manufacturers are compelled to either substantiate their products’ claims to medical efficacy, or remove them: under the current regulatory system in the UK this is not happening.

At the end of August,

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

NLJ Career Profile: Maria Karaiskos KC, Church Court Chambers

NLJ Career Profile: Maria Karaiskos KC, Church Court Chambers

Maria Karaiskos KC, recently appointed as the first female head of Church Court Chambers, discusses breaking down barriers, the lure of the courtroom, and the power of storytelling

Kingsley Napley—Jenny Higgins

Kingsley Napley—Jenny Higgins

Legal director joins regulatory practice to lead offering for actuarial sector

Bolt Burdon Kemp—Alan Collins & Danielle Vincent

Bolt Burdon Kemp—Alan Collins & Danielle Vincent

Bolt Burdon Kemp acquires Hugh James’ abuse team

NEWS
Writing in NLJ this week, Kelvin Rutledge KC of Cornerstone Barristers and Genevieve Screeche-Powell of Field Court Chambers examine the Court of Appeal’s rejection of a discrimination challenge to Tower Hamlets’ housing database
Michael Zander KC, Emeritus Professor at LSE, tracks the turbulent passage of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill through the House of Lords in this week's issue of NLJ. Two marathon debates drew contributions from nearly 200 peers, split between support, opposition and conditional approval
Alistair Mills of Landmark Chambers reflects on the Human Rights Act 1998 a quarter-century after it came into force, in this week's issue of NLJ
In his latest Civil Way column for NLJ, Stephen Gold surveys a raft of procedural changes and quirky disputes shaping civil practice. His message is clear: civil practitioners must brace for continual tweaks, unexpected contentions and rising costs in everyday litigation
Barbara Mills KC, chair of the Bar 2025 and joint head of chambers at 4PB, sets out in this week's NLJ how the profession will respond to Baroness Harriet Harman KC’s review into bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct at the Bar
back-to-top-scroll