Yu

Supplement companies like Yu, which sells a variety of weight-loss and other products, would be wise to study up on what the FDA considers drug claims when deciding how to appropriately market their products – that is, if they don’t want to run afoul of the law.

For example, the FDA has established that the following are all drug claims requiring its approval, which Yu does not have:

• Reduce inflammation
• Balance hormones
• Help alleviate menstrual cramps
• Reduce anxiety
• Reduce depression
• Stimulate hair growth

Yet this has not stopped Yu from claiming, without FDA approval, that its products and/or the ingredients in its products can:

• “[R]educe excess inflammation in the stomach which causes bloating and pain”
• “[B]e a great ally for individuals experiencing the symptoms of menstruation by helping to balance hormones”
• “[H]elp alleviate the painful cramps associated with menstrual periods” and “reduce … the intensity of menstrual cramps”
• Provide “Total Hormone Balance” (the name of one of its products)
• Reduce anxiety
• Reduce depression
• Stimulate hair growth

See the problem?

Some of these health claims appear in customer testimonials on Yu’s website. For instance, on the Beauty Collagen product page, one of the success stories comes from a user impressed by the rate of her hair growth.

However, the FTC warns that, “Consumer endorsements themselves are not competent and reliable scientific evidence,” which is what is required to properly substantiate health claims like Yu’s. And the company doesn’t cite or link to any scientific studies supporting its health claims on its website.

But unsubstantiated and unapproved health claims for Yu products aren’t limited to the company’s website. Yu influencers are also promoting the products in this way on social media. In an Instagram story flagged by a TINA.org reader, for example, a Yu affiliate claims that the company’s TrimFit supplement, among other things, improves cognitive function and reduces inflammation, two drug claims.

Company jumps into action

Following an inquiry by TINA.org, Yu reached out to the affiliate, who then removed the slide with the problematic health claims from her “Wellness” Instagram story. The company also edited the testimonial on the Beauty Collagen product page to remove the hair growth claim. In addition, the company said that it would change the name of its Total Hormone Balance supplement “on the next reprint of the packaging,” but did not respond to a question asking what the new name would be. Yu also said it had “corrected” the drug claims on the Total Hormone Balance product page but, as of this writing, several of them remain on the page.

Check back for updates.

Find more of our coverage on supplements here.