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Public Health Service |
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5100 Paint Branch Pkwy |
March 26, 2004
WARNING LETTER
VIA CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
Metabolic Nutrition, Inc
2054 NE 153rd St
Miami, FL 33162
Dear
Sir or Madam:
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reviewed your web site at the Internet address http://www.metabolicnutrition.com and has concluded that claims on this web site cause your product “Liposin” to be misbranded under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act). You can find the Act and FDA’s regulations through links on FDA’s Internet home page: http://www.fda.gov.
Under section 403(r)(6) of the Act, dietary supplement labeling may include claims about the supplement’s effect on the structure or function of the human body (structure/function claims), provided that certain requirements are met. 21 USC 343(r)(6)(A). One of these requirements is that the manufacturer of a dietary supplement bearing a “structure/function” claim must have substantiation that the claim is truthful and not misleading. 21 USC 343(r)(6)(B).
The labeling of Liposin bears structure/function claims, including the following:
- “Liposin inhibits your body’s absorption of dietary fat to facilitate weight loss without any changes in lifestyle.”
- “Liposin starts working immediately to prevent the absorption of dietary fat.”
- “This advanced dietary-fat inhibitor helps block the absorption of fat calories.”
We have reviewed these claims and have concluded that they are not supported by reliable scientific evidence. Because these claims lack substantiation, they are false or misleading, and cause your products to be misbranded within the meaning of sections 403(a)(1) and 403(r)(6)(B) of the Act. 21 USC 343(a)(1), (r)(6)(B). It is a violation of section 301(a) of the Act to introduce or deliver for introduction into interstate commerce any food, including a dietary supplement, that is misbranded. 21 USC 331(a).
This letter is not an all-inclusive review of your web site and the products that your firm markets. It is your responsibility to ensure that all products marketed by your firm comply with the Act and its implementing regulations.
The Act authorizes injunctions against manufacturers and distributors of illegal products and seizure of such products. 21 USC 332, 334. You should take prompt action to correct any violations, including the violations identified in this letter. Failure to do so may result in enforcement action without further notice.
If you have scientific evidence which you believe substantiates that your claims for Liposin are truthful and not misleading, please provide it to us within fifteen (15) working days of receipt of this letter. Alternatively, please advise this office, in writing and within fifteen working days of receipt of this letter, of the specific steps you have taken to correct the noted violations and to ensure that similar violations do not occur in the future. If corrective action cannot be completed with fifteen working days, state the reason for the delay and the time within which the corrections will be made.
Your reply should be sent to the attention of Compliance Officer Quyen Tien at the above address.
Sincerely,
/s/
Joseph R. Baca
District Director,
Office of Compliance
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
This page was posted on July 31, 2005.
