California Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 2030 on Sept. 28, a new law that restricts the sale of specific over‑the‑counter diet pills and muscle‑building supplements to minors. The measure, which takes effect on Jan. 1, 2027, targets products marketed for weight loss or muscle gain that are not prescribed by a physician.
What the law covers
The legislation defines the prohibited items as those “labeled, marketed or otherwise represented for the purpose of achieving weight loss or building muscle.” Enforcement officials will look for ingredients such as creatine, green tea extract, raspberry ketone, garcinia cambogia, or green coffee bean extract when determining compliance.
Products that contain these ingredients are not automatically banned; the law hinges on how the supplement is advertised and presented to consumers. Items that are prescribed by a doctor – even if they are over‑the‑counter – remain available to patients under 18.
Health rationale
The governor’s office warned that “nonprescribed, medically unapproved products may cause dangerous side effects” and that many supplements can be mislabeled or contaminated with substances such as steroids. Research cited in the announcement indicates that roughly one in ten adolescents have tried such products, and that use of over‑the‑counter diet pills is linked to a six‑fold increase in the likelihood of an eating‑disorder diagnosis within three years.
Dr. Sigrid Wolf, a pediatric sports‑medicine physician at Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, noted that evidence of benefit from creatine and similar supplements for teenagers is limited, and that side effects can include weight gain, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. She urged parents to prioritize proper nutrition, regular training, adequate sleep, and hydration over unregulated supplements.
Industry response
The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA), a trade group based in Maryland, issued a statement opposing the law. AHPA Vice President of Regulatory and Government Affairs Robert Marriott argued that AB 2030 “casts a shadow over safe, beneficial products” and criticized the law’s ambiguous scope, particularly its failure to explicitly exempt protein powders.
Conversely, the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), a consumer‑health advocacy organization in Washington, D.C., praised the legislation. CSPI regulatory counsel Jensen Jose said manufacturers often “prey on kids and teens with deceptive claims that lack any scientific evidence,” and welcomed the state’s effort to protect young people.
Enforcement and penalties
Businesses that violate the new restrictions face civil fines of up to $500 per violation. The law does not specify whether whey protein or pure creatine products are included, leaving some ambiguity for retailers to resolve.
Fox News Digital reached out to Governor Newsom’s office for comment; a response was not received at the time of publication.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
