New York enforces age checks for weight loss and muscle supplements

A new law in New York State now requires companies selling weight loss or muscle building supplements to check customers’ ages. The rule took effect on April 22 and has already sparked legal challenges. Businesses must now review their products and verify whether they fall under the new requirements.

The law targets supplements containing ingredients like creatine, green tea extract, raspberry ketone, and garcinia cambogia. It also covers green coffee bean extract, steroids, and any FDA-approved weight loss or muscle-building compounds. Companies must determine if their products are included and adjust their sales processes accordingly.

The U.S. District Court of the Southern District of New York recently rejected a request for a preliminary injunction from the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN). This decision means the law remains in force while legal disputes continue. Meanwhile, the Natural Products Association (NPA) has filed a separate lawsuit to challenge the state’s new regulations. Businesses are now assessing whether they must implement age-verification systems. The law aims to restrict access to certain supplements for younger consumers, but its enforcement has already faced resistance from industry groups.

The new age-verification law is active, and companies must comply or risk penalties. Legal battles from the CRN and NPA could still shape its future. For now, businesses selling affected supplements must adapt to the stricter rules.