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Compliance Guidance

for Dietary Supplements

Training for Affiliates and Content Creators

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Table of Contents

  1. Why is compliance important?
  2. What the FDA expects
  3. Intro to “Structure / Function” Claims
  4. 4x Rules for Structure / Function
  5. Helpful Tactics and Examples

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Why is compliance important?

It keeps you safe

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  • Avoid warning letters from the FDA or FTC
  • Avoid customer trust issues and complaints
  • Don’t get suspended from a platform
  • Set a good example and standard for others

It ensures a long-term relationship

  • The algorithm likes compliant content!
  • A healthy brand is a sustainable brand
  • Customers and marketplaces trust compliant brands

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The golden rule: the FDA Disclaimer

“These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.”

It is important that statements do not suggest any product can be used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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Structure / Function Claims

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Intro to “Structure Function” Claims

For dietary supplements, FDA allows manufacturers and distributors to make “structure/function claims” but does not allow “disease claims.”

Examples of generally permissive adjectives:

  • Supports
  • Stimulates
  • Maintains
  • Regulates
  • Promotes (in association with a body system, organ or function)

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Structure-Function Claims: Rule #1

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A claim may not suggest that the product has an effect on a specific disease or class of disease.

Not Permissible

Permissible

Reduces the pain and stiffness associated with arthritis.

Helps maintain proper joint function.

Helps control blood sugar levels caused by diabetes.

Helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels already within normal range.

Helps decrease the frequency and duration of herpes outbreaks.

Helps support a healthy immune system.

Helps prevent transmission of HSV-1 and HSV-2

Helps maintain a healthy immune response.

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Structure-Function Claims: Rule #2

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A claim may not refer to a characteristic sign or symptom of a disease or class of disease

Not Permissible

Permissible

Relieves painful joints.

Helps maintain joint health and flexibility.

Lowers blood sugar levels.

Use as part of your diet to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.

Stops itching and burning sensations.

Supports a healthy immune response.

Eliminates blisters from forming.

Maintains healthy skin.

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Structure-Function Claims: Rule #3

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References to signs and/or symptoms of natural states

are ok (as long they are not uncommon and would not cause harm if left untreated)

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Not Permissible

Permissible

Helps alleviate chronic joint pain.

Alleviates occasional joint aches.

Controls constantly high blood sugar levels.

Can help regulate transient blood sugar spikes associated with consuming carbs and sugars in healthy people.

Stops outbreaks before they happen.

Support and maintain a strong immune system.

Prevent you from passing along the virus to your partner.

Promotes your body’s natural defenses and maintain a health immune response.

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Structure-Function Claims: Rule #4

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  • A claim may not suggest that a supplement (or its ingredients) belong to a particular class of drugs or is a substitute for a particular therapy.�
  • A claim may not suggest that a product is useful as a companion to regular drug therapy.

Not Permissible

Permissible

Helps maintain joint health without

the use of NSAID’s.

Helps support healthy cartilage and joint function.

Controls blood sugar levels without needing insulin injections.

Used as part of your diet to help maintain a healthy blood sugar level for individuals already within normal ranges.

Controls outbreaks without antivirals like acyclovir.

Supports a healthy immune system.

It is a “Herbal antiviral” / antibiotic / antimicrobial / anti-inflammatory.

Promotes digestive and skin health.

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TikTok Shop: Best Practices for Influencers to Avoid Violations

  • Cussing or profanity
  • Promoting dupe products
  • Using the under 5k workaround
  • Not showing the product
  • Featuring kids
  • Posting unoriginal content
  • Sending traffic off app
  • Claiming weight

Refer to this for more information on violations and best practices to avoid them

  1. https://www.tiktok.com/@thefasttrackgirl/video/7331777511359139114
  2. https://brandsmeetcreators.com/blog/tiktok-shop-violations-guide

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Thank you for your partnership!

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Questions?

info@naturalcurelabs.com

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info@naturalcurelabs.com