Kontrolle des Internethandels mit Anti-Aging- und Schlankheitsmitteln: eine Pilot-Studie
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ABSTRACT:
Borderline products, which are products that fall into categories between foods, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, are found more and more in grey areas of the internet. Currently there are no adequate methods for efficient surveillance of internet marketing for these products by the governmental food control authorities. The aim of this study, which was initiated by the ‘Ministerium für Ernährung und Ländlichen Raum Baden-Württemberg’ (Ministry of Nutrition and Rural Affairs of the German Federal State of Baden-Württemberg), was firstly, to gain insight into internet marketing of borderline products and secondly, to identify the areas of concern.
For this purpose, we analyzed a range of anti-aging and weight-loss products offered on the internet. The research was based on information collected using typical search terms in search engines, internet auctions and online shops. During autumn 2007, we collected data during 300 working hours and entered them into a database for analysis.
We found more than 200 anti-aging products. Approximately one-third of them were offered as dietary supplements and two-thirds as cosmetics. Nearly 40% of all the products found are not available through conventional retail trade.
In the group of weight loss supplements we found 371 products, most of them declared to be dietary supplements (88%). Of the cosmetics in this group, only one-third have been evaluated as ‘harmless’, while doubts exist with the remainder regarding their safety, efficacy or pharmaceutical purpose. From those marketed as dietary supplements, only one-third were additionally classified as marketable food, while we found active pharmaceutical ingredients in one quarter of these products. The dietary supplements group commonly contained products featuring misleading claims, non-licensed additives and ingredients classified as ‘novel food’. Trial purchases showed us that these questionable products are in fact available in Germany by mail order over the internet.
Our research shows that internet marketing of borderline products may in fact be contrary to a number of European and national food laws, particularly with regard to misleading statements or illegal health claims. High priority should therefore be given to the development of concepts to ensure consumer protection in this area.
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