The Effectiveness of Warning Information in Dietary Supplement Product Labels

Abstract

A study was carried out to assess the potential effectiveness of warnings on dietary supplement labels. The warnings are intended to convey contraindication and side effect information to potential users. Fifty-three participants completed a survey consisting of questions about the warnings. Two characteristics of potential users in a 25–40 age range were manipulated as variables; gender and amount overweight (25 lbs and 75 lbs). Participants judged women (M = 40%) as more likely than men (M = 26%) to read the entire label. A significant effect showed 33% of those 25 lbs overweight were expected to use a supplement, while 55% of those 75 lbs overweight would be users. Estimates of the number of users who would stop use if experiencing nausea (49%) or irregular heartbeat (44%>) seems to reflect an underestimate of the risks associated with dietary supplements. Participants estimated that 31.4% of people who took the supplement and read the label would understand the information. Overall, warnings on the labels of the dietary supplement products may not be effective in addressing the contraindication and side effects issues.