Calling into question Consumer Reports ‘Dirty Dozen’

Is the latest Consumer Reports report on the "Dirty Dozen" a helpful report or unnecessary attack?

A new report, “Dangerous Supplements” from Consumer Reports has received a ton of attention from just about every media outlet you can think of. In the report, the authors outlined the Dirty Dozen, twelve of the most dangerous supplements that should be avoided at all costs. The report blasts the dietary supplement industry for having unsafe products and lack of regulations all of which lead to an unsafe environment for consumers.

Now, this topic concerns me quite a bit. After all, I believe in these products and their ability to help people get and stay healthy. If I’m being duped, if I’m playing Russian roulette every time I purchase a dietary supplement, I want to know about it. However, I want to know about it in a fair, accurate and balanced report and unfortunately, I don’t think Consumer Reports has given us one.

If you haven’t read the report yet, I encourage you to do so. There are some very interesting points made. And please don’t misunderstand, I think this report in it’s conception, was a good thing. But like so many things today, somewhere between conception and execution, the report leaves out some important points that when included, don’t lead to such salacious headlines.

For example, one television news report claimed that based on the Consumer Reports findings as many as two-thirds of supplements are “contaminated” with ingredients that could cause serious health problems. This does not seem to agree with recent government statistics. According to an August 3rd, 2010 press release, the Natural Products Association stated:

The NPA questions the data Consumer Reports is using to suggest the dietary supplement industry suffers from inadequate quality controls. In actuality, evidence from the government suggests the contrary. Earlier this year, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) tested a number of products finding only trace amounts of contaminants, leading the FDA to testify before Congress that “we do not believe these levels represent a significant risk to health.” It is curious that Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports and also a witness at that hearing, did not mention this testimony in the article.

To hear more about this topic, including which points I agree with, listen in on today’s podcast.