12 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
12 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Is it legal to review supplements?

by TLondon
10 replies
Disclaimer: I'm not asking for any legal advice here, just the findings in terms of links and experience that other warriors have gone through before.

Hey,

Does anybody know anything in terms of legal stuff on reviewing, say, supplements, vitamins and similar things online? Is it legal and if so, how to be compliant? Would disclosures and similar notices somewhere in the ToS/PP be sufficient? And if it isn't, then why and according to whom?

If you can include a link to some reputable source on what you're basing your claims, that would be very appreciated!

Thanks guys!
#legal #review #supplements
  • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
    Here are the Google search results from the title of this thread. You'll find the info here far more accurate than 99% of the uninformed opinions you'll get here.

    https://www.google.com/webhp?sourcei...ew+supplements
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9433398].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author internetmarketer1
      Originally Posted by travlinguy View Post

      Here are the Google search results from the title of this thread. You'll find the info here far more accurate than 99% of the uninformed opinions you'll get here.

      https://www.google.com/webhp?sourcei...ew+supplements
      Agreed. A lot of us here have little experience with this in terms of legally reviewing supplements. This link should help thouguh.
      Signature
      Tired of Google?! Exhausted from all the rehashed trash?!
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9433610].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author TLondon
        Thank you. But I would expect that you guys would realize that my first place was to Google, rather than create a topic and write some stuff up on WF?.. Sounds like common sense to me.

        I've been researching this, as well as contacting various organizations for more advice, but I'm looking for opinion of those who have run into this already and know where exactly to look. Showing me how to Google is not helpful; it's condescending.

        None of those links provided by Google addressed the question by the way. Also note how one of the most recent links there is this exact thread, which should tell you how little information there is available when searching this term.

        Like I have mentioned in the OP, I am not looking for legal advice or opinions here. I'm looking for people who already have some findings on this "in terms of links and experience."

        Thanks for understanding. Still looking for some intelligent and/or informative answers.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9433860].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
          Originally Posted by TLondon View Post

          Thank you. But I would expect that you guys would realize that my first place was to Google, rather than create a topic and write some stuff up on WF?.. Sounds like common sense to me.

          I've been researching this, as well as contacting various organizations for more advice, but I'm looking for opinion of those who have run into this already and know where exactly to look. Showing me how to Google is not helpful; it's condescending.

          None of those links provided by Google addressed the question by the way. Also note how one of the most recent links there is this exact thread, which should tell you how little information there is available when searching this term.

          Like I have mentioned in the OP, I am not looking for legal advice or opinions here. I'm looking for people who already have some findings on this "in terms of links and experience."

          Thanks for understanding. Still looking for some intelligent and/or informative answers.
          Condescending? Okay. Here's the answer. Yes. It's legal to review supplements. How's that? You want more, contact an attorney.
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9434152].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author kellymonaghan
      Originally Posted by travlinguy View Post

      Here are the Google search results from the title of this thread. You'll find the info here far more accurate than 99% of the uninformed opinions you'll get here.

      https://www.google.com/webhp?sourcei...ew+supplements
      I don't want to get into the whole "condescending" controversy, but I'd like to point out that there are two definitions of the word supplement. The Google search Travlinguy provided brings up mostly results for supplements in the sense of "something that completes or enhances something else when added to it."

      I believe the OP was referring to dietary supplements, so the better Google search would be:

      https://www.google.com/webhp?sourcei...ry+supplements
      Signature
      The Internet Marketing Dictionary
      Unraveling the mysteries of Internet marketing, one term at a time.
      From our library: 10 Ways to $10K A Month.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9434298].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author internetmarketer1
    I didn't really find his reply condescending at all.

    I just found that he was straight up and to the point about it since not all of us know about "legal' aspects regarding reviews because most marketers create reviews they didn't even buy. I do it all the time. As a freelance writer in the past,I have written about supplements for clients that I never bought at all.
    Signature
    Tired of Google?! Exhausted from all the rehashed trash?!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9434158].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author WPMaker
      Hi.

      First of make it more clear about what type of "supplements, vitamins and similar things online" you are talking about?

      Sport supplements (like creatine, proteins etc.) and vitamins from brands you can get for example on amazon or from any other online sport supplements shop.

      OR

      Shady products like Pnis Enlargement pills and similar products?


      I did the 1st one - I had many websites with reviews of different sport supplements and it wasn't a problem at all (it was promoting online shop for commission and they knew the website url). Of course we didn't try all the products but my writer had some experience in the sport/body building niche so it was easier to write.

      Don't use something like "You will lose 10 pounds in 1 day with this product"/"Get 20 pounds of pure muscle mass in 1 week" in the reviews as it would be a lie without any real results you could back it up with.

      I would also add up some disclaimers that the reviews on this website are the authors opinion and can't be taken as medical advice etc.

      Look at sites selling/promoting the same/similar products and see what are they doing.

      If you are going for the 2nd product type you should definitely ask a lawyer for more information on that.

      (just my 2 cents)
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9434196].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Cali16
    Originally Posted by TLondon View Post

    Disclaimer: I'm not asking for any legal advice here, just the findings in terms of links and experience that other warriors have gone through before.
    You asked for "links and experience" from other warriors. Travlinguy graciously gave you a very helpful link, and then you accused him of being condescending...??

    I'm not an attorney, so please don't construe anything I say as "legal advice". To the best of my knowledge, there's nothing wrong with reviewing supplements based on your personal experience using the supplement. However, if you write a bogus review that suggests you've used the supplement when you haven't, or make false, exaggerated, or unsubstantiated claims about its potential benefits (or any other aspect of the product), then you're likely setting yourself up for potential problems if your review is made with the intent to promote or hinder (e.g. a competitor's product) sales of that product.

    All that being said, it's always best to consult an attorney if you're uncertain about the legal aspects of anything.
    Signature
    If you don't face your fears, the only thing you'll ever see is what's in your comfort zone. ~Anne McClain, astronaut
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9434230].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Karen Blundell
      I agree with Cali. Especially don't mention "cures" or that could really get you in deep trouble -

      but we are not legal experts here. We have a couple of members who are lawyers but I doubt they would advise you any differently -
      the Internet is filled with bogus reviews - don't add any more - that' s not going to make you any money
      Signature
      ---------------
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9434266].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author agmccall
    Originally Posted by TLondon View Post

    Disclaimer: I'm not asking for any legal advice here, just the findings in terms of links and experience that other warriors have gone through before.
    !
    But you are, even if we pass on our own experiences we are treading on a thin line

    al
    Signature

    "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." Thomas Edison

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9434308].message }}

Trending Topics