New Study on SARMs Reaffirms Need for Enforcement Action and Consumer Awareness

WASHINGTON, D.C., November 29, 2017—In response to a new study, “Chemical Composition and Labeling of Substances Marketed as Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators and Sold via the Internet,” published online yesterday in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), the leading trade association for the dietary supplement and functional food industry, today issued the following statement: 

Statement from Duffy MacKay, N.D., senior vice president, scientific & regulatory affairs, CRN: 
“We appreciate the work of the study authors in uncovering incidents of companies who put consumers at risk by illegally marketing products that contain SARMs, which are unapproved drugs, and are breaking the law by trying to sell them as dietary supplements. As the study authors have indicated, and as FDA has previously warned, products containing SARMs are not dietary supplements; they are adulterated, illegal, unapproved drugs.  

We are committed to educate consumers to help protect them from these intolerable, fly-by-night companies who are engaging in criminal activity by bringing SARMs to the online marketplace. Further, we will continue to remind the dietary supplement industry that SARMs should not be used in their products. We have aligned with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency and other dietary supplement trade associations in support of strict enforcement by FDA to rid the market of SARMs.

It is important for consumers to understand that products containing SARMs are not dietary supplements and can be life threatening. Building muscle and enhancing athletic performance happens gradually over time and requires a multi-faceted approach, including healthy diet and exercise. Sports nutrition dietary supplements can play a beneficial role, and we strongly urge consumers to discuss their usage of these supplements with their doctors, healthcare practitioners, coaches or trainers in order to identify the best products to fit their needs.”

The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), founded in 1973, is a Washington, D.C.-based trade association representing 150+ dietary supplement and functional food manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, and companies providing services to those manufacturers and suppliers. In addition to complying with a host of federal and state regulations governing dietary supplements and food in the areas of manufacturing, marketing, quality control and safety, our manufacturer and supplier members also agree to adhere to additional voluntary guidelines as well as to CRN’s Code of Ethics. Visit www.crnusa.org. Follow us on Twitter @CRN_Supplements and LinkedIn