食品伙伴網(wǎng)導讀：已公布的由美國政府問(wèn)責辦公室（GAO）在本周的報告中提到，膳食補充劑被作為誤導消費者的基因檢測的一部分，被具有欺詐性的出售。與這一新聞相對應的是目前中國國內的保健品市場(chǎng)也魚(yú)目混珠，狀況較為混亂，食品伙伴網(wǎng)翻譯整理此篇文章，希望為有關(guān)部分提供作為參考，為不法的保健品生產(chǎn)者及經(jīng)銷(xiāo)商敲響警鐘，希望國內的保健品市場(chǎng)能加以規范，消費者的權益能得到更好的保障。
在美國政府問(wèn)責辦公室（GAO）秘密進(jìn)行的調查中，GAO購買(mǎi)了各種各樣的直接面對消費者的基因檢測，這些檢測聲稱(chēng)可以檢測到消費者的健朗狀況是否存在高風(fēng)險。作為他們健康服務(wù)的一部分，這些檢測的經(jīng)營(yíng)者們會(huì )向他們的服務(wù)對象提供一種針對個(gè)人身體狀況的膳食補充劑，以幫助他們避免這些健康風(fēng)險。
GAO的報告已和在早些時(shí)候（2006年）進(jìn)行的調查一起提交給了美國國會(huì )眾議院。上一個(gè)調查的結果已促使美國疾病控制和預防中心（CDC），美國食品藥物管理局（FDA）和美國聯(lián)邦貿易委員會(huì )（FTC）發(fā)出警告，警告消費者要對這些測試的結果持謹慎態(tài)度。
然而，因為更多新的被報道的基因測試的公司也出現在這個(gè)直接面向消費者的產(chǎn)品市場(chǎng)，促使能源和商業(yè)委員會(huì )附屬委員會(huì )對此事監督和調查，附屬委員會(huì )目前要求GAO進(jìn)行調查。
秘密調查
GAO 從四家公司購買(mǎi)了從299美元到999美元的價(jià)格不等的10個(gè)測試。該機構選定五個(gè)捐助者偽裝成消費者，每個(gè)捐助者向這些公司送出2個(gè)DNA樣本。
的結果提供了15種疾病的風(fēng)險預測，GAO以消費者的名義打電話(huà)給這些公司尋求健康咨詢(xún)，并詢(xún)問(wèn)這些公司關(guān)于膳食補充劑的銷(xiāo)售。然后，然后GAO向遺傳專(zhuān)家咨詢(xún)，檢查并整理了研究資料。
矛盾的結果
在對結果的檢查中，GAO發(fā)現，同樣的DNA樣本通過(guò)不同的測試取得了不同的結果。例如，一個(gè)偽裝的消費者被告知，他低于前列腺癌的發(fā)病風(fēng)險的平均水平和高于平均水平。 其他結果發(fā)現與實(shí)際病史相沖突。例如，一個(gè)不規則的心跳起搏器植入消費者被告知，他在此項疾病上的風(fēng)險水平較低。
膳食補充劑
GAO的報告顯示，公司聲稱(chēng)這些膳食補充劑可以治愈消費者的DNA中檢測的疾病風(fēng)險，并欺詐性的由知名度高的運動(dòng)員做代言，以鼓勵購買(mǎi)。.一公司標價(jià)為每月$ 145的膳食補充劑，實(shí)際上是維生素和營(yíng)養物的混合物。
雖然GAO沒(méi)有進(jìn)行測試以驗證他們的膳食補充劑的具體內容，但從包裝上的配料表中可發(fā)現樹(shù)莓果汁粉，綠茶提取物，大蒜粉等。.另外，還有其他所出售的膳食補充產(chǎn)品上未標注成分表。
消費者者被告知，這些產(chǎn)品可以治療如關(guān)節炎、高膽固醇或防止高血壓等疾病。
GAO介紹了美國FDA，國家衛生研究院和聯(lián)邦貿易委員會(huì )的調查結果，并還提到FDA和聯(lián)邦貿易委員會(huì )”會(huì )對所有的此類(lèi)公司進(jìn)行調查的“適當的行動(dòng)”。
完整調查結果下載
原文導讀：
GAO uncovers fraudulent ‘personalized’ supplements
By Lorraine Heller, 29-Jul-2010
Dietary supplements are being fraudulently sold as part of misleading genetic tests, according to a report published this week by the US Government Accountability Office (GAO).
In an undercover investigation, GAO purchased a variety of direct-to-consumer genetic tests, which claim to identify which health conditions consumers are at a high risk for. As part of their health package, the marketers of these tests offer ‘personalized’ dietary supplements to help prevent the onset of these conditions.
GAO’s report, which was presented to the US House of Representatives, followed an earlier investigation conducted in 2006. This had prompted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to warn consumers to be wary of the results of these tests.
However, new – and reportedly more reputable – genetic test companies have since appeared on the market with direct-to-consumer products, prompting the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, Committee on Energy and Commerce to request the current GAO investigation.
Undercover investigation
GAO purchased 10 tests from each of four companies, which ranged in price from $299 to $999. The agency selected five donors to pose as fictitious consumers, and sent two DNA samples from each donor to each company.
On reception of the results, which provided risk predictions for 15 diseases, GAO made undercover calls to the companies seeking health advice, and also asked the companies about supplement sales. It then consulted with genetic experts to examine the information collated.
Contradictory results
On examination of the results, GAO found that different tests yielded different results for the same DNA samples. For example, one fictitious consumer was told that he had below average, average and above average risk for prostate cancer.
Other results were found to conflict with actual medical histories. For example, a consumer with an implanted pacemaker for an irregular heartbeat was told that he was at decreased risk for developing this condition.
Supplements
GAO’s report reveals that companies claimed a consumer’s DNA could be used to create personalized supplements to cure diseases, and often used fraudulent endorsements from high-profile athletes to encourage purchases. One company charged $145 per month for these personalized supplements, which were blends of vitamins and nutrients.
Although GAO did not test the supplements to verify their contents, the ingredient lists identified compounds such as raspberry juice powder, green tea extract, and garlic powder. Other supplement products were sold with no ingredient lists.
Consumers were told that these products could cure diseases such as arthritis and high cholesterol, or prevent conditions such as high blood pressure.
GAO has briefed FDA, National Institutes of Health and FTC on its findings, and has also referred all the companies it investigated to FDA and FTC for “appropriate action”.
Dietary supplements are being fraudulently sold as part of misleading genetic tests, according to a report published this week by the US Government Accountability Office (GAO).
In an undercover investigation, GAO purchased a variety of direct-to-consumer genetic tests, which claim to identify which health conditions consumers are at a high risk for. As part of their health package, the marketers of these tests offer ‘personalized’ dietary supplements to help prevent the onset of these conditions.
GAO’s report, which was presented to the US House of Representatives, followed an earlier investigation conducted in 2006. This had prompted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to warn consumers to be wary of the results of these tests.
However, new – and reportedly more reputable – genetic test companies have since appeared on the market with direct-to-consumer products, prompting the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, Committee on Energy and Commerce to request the current GAO investigation.
Undercover investigation
GAO purchased 10 tests from each of four companies, which ranged in price from $299 to $999. The agency selected five donors to pose as fictitious consumers, and sent two DNA samples from each donor to each company.
On reception of the results, which provided risk predictions for 15 diseases, GAO made undercover calls to the companies seeking health advice, and also asked the companies about supplement sales. It then consulted with genetic experts to examine the information collated.
Contradictory results
On examination of the results, GAO found that different tests yielded different results for the same DNA samples. For example, one fictitious consumer was told that he had below average, average and above average risk for prostate cancer.
Other results were found to conflict with actual medical histories. For example, a consumer with an implanted pacemaker for an irregular heartbeat was told that he was at decreased risk for developing this condition.
Supplements
GAO’s report reveals that companies claimed a consumer’s DNA could be used to create personalized supplements to cure diseases, and often used fraudulent endorsements from high-profile athletes to encourage purchases. One company charged $145 per month for these personalized supplements, which were blends of vitamins and nutrients.
Although GAO did not test the supplements to verify their contents, the ingredient lists identified compounds such as raspberry juice powder, green tea extract, and garlic powder. Other supplement products were sold with no ingredient lists.
Consumers were told that these products could cure diseases such as arthritis and high cholesterol, or prevent conditions such as high blood pressure.
GAO has briefed FDA, National Institutes of Health and FTC on its findings, and has also referred all the companies it investigated to FDA and FTC for “appropriate action”.
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