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Planet Money · June 5, 2026 · 34m
Why is there a supplement craze if they don’t even work?
Sarah Gonzalez and Jane Black investigate the $70 billion dietary supplement industry, which is projected to double in seven years despite weak evidence that most products work. They trace a century-long tug-of-war between regulators and consumers who are drawn to the promise of a quick fix, and explain how lobbying, lax regulation, and the GRAS loophole have allowed the industry to thrive.
This summary was generated from show notes and public descriptions, not from a full transcript review. Details may contain inaccuracies.
Canon
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A century-old regulatory gap known as GRAS allows supplement manufacturers to self-certify ingredients as safe without FDA approval.
Highlights
Editorial
References
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Food Politics — Marion Nestle (2002)
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Vitamania — Catherine Price (2011)
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