Health Fraud Scams

   Report Unlawful Sales of Medical Products on the InternetReporte de ventas ilegales de productos medicos a traves del internet

Health fraud scams refer to products that claim to prevent, treat, or cure diseases or other health conditions, but are not proven safe and effective for those uses. Health fraud scams waste money and can lead to delays in getting proper diagnosis and treatment. They can also cause serious or even fatal injuries.

 

Health Fraud News

• Hyaluronic Acid Products Containing Undeclared Ingredients
• FDA Advises Consumers, Retailers, and Distributors Not to Eat, Sell, or Distribute Addall XR Shot or Addall XL Dietary Supplements (April 2026)
• Chocolates Marketed as Sexual Enhancement Products May be Harmful Due to Undisclosed Drug Ingredients
• Tainted Honey-based Products with Hidden Active Drug Ingredients.
• FDA Takes Steps to Restrict 7-OH Opioid Products Threatening American Consumers  
  • FDA Seizes 7-OH Opioids to Protect American Consumers 
  • Hiding in Plain Sight: 7-OH Products

More Health Fraud News

Health Fraud Information

• Warning Letters
• Recalls
• Press Announcements
• Public Notifications and Safety Alerts
• For Consumers

Resources for You

• Dietary Supplement Ingredient Advisory List
• Office of Criminal Investigations
• Medication Health Fraud
• Tobacco Health Fraud
• Compliance Policy Guide Section 120.500 - Health Fraud
• FDA's YouTube Channel
• FDA Flickr Albums

News

FDA Takes Steps to Restrict 7-OH Opioid Products Threatening American Consumers

July 29, 2025 - FDA Takes Steps to Restrict 7-OH Opioid Products Threatening American Consumers

Letter from Dr. Makary to health care professionals: New "Gas Station Heroin" T…

May 8, 2025 - Letter from Dr. Makary to health care professionals to draw attention to the increasing number of adverse events involving products containing tianeptine.

Letter to Industry on the Use of Amanita Muscaria or its Constituents in Food

December 2024 - Letter to Industry on the Use of Amanita Muscaria or its Constituents in Food

FDA warns consumers to not purchase or use unapproved inhalant products markete…

August 6, 2024 - FDA is warning consumers to not purchase or use certain inhalants, which primarily contain ammonia.

FDA Warns Consumers Not to Use Optimized Plant Mediated Solutions (OPMS) Black…

July 26, 2024 - The FDA is advising consumers not to consume OPMS Black Liquid Kratom, which has been linked to serious adverse health effects.

Investigation of Illnesses: Diamond Shruumz-Brand Chocolate Bars, Cones, & Gumm…

June 2024 - All Diamond Shruumz-brand products have been recalled and should no longer be available for sale.

FDA Issues Warning About Certain Supplements Substituted with Toxic Yellow Olea…

December 2024 - FDA analysis has determined that certain products labeled as tejocote (Crataegus mexicana) root or Brazil seed are adulterated because they were tested and found to be substituted with yellow oleander (Thevetia peruviana).

Skin Facts! What You Need to Know About Skin Lightening Products

March 2024 - The FDA’s Skin Facts! Initiative alerts consumers of potentially harmful over-the-counter (OTC) skin products containing hydroquinone or mercury.

Spotlight

Health Fraud Product Database

This database includes unapproved products that have been subject to FDA health fraud related violations.

Umary and Related Products

FDA is warning consumers not to purchase or use Umary and Amazy products, marketed as dietary supplements, as they may be harmful to your health. These products are promoted to treat pain and other conditions.

Cosmetic Products Containing Methylene Chloride

FDA has found several cosmetic products marketed as gel nail polish remover that contain methylene chloride as an ingredient. Methylene chloride is a prohibited ingredient, which is not allowed in cosmetics at any level (21 CFR 700.19)

Hiding in Plain Sight: 7-OH Products

The time to act is now. We can and must prevent the next wave of the opioid crisis.

Tianeptine

Tianeptine is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for any medical use. Despite that, some companies are illegally marketing and selling products containing tianeptine to consumers.

Products Containing Cannabis or Cannabis-derived Compounds, Including CBD

The FDA is working to answer questions about the science, safety, and quality of products containing cannabis and cannabis-derived compounds, particularly CBD.

How to Spot Health Fraud

FDA describes health fraud as "articles of unproven effectiveness that are promoted to improve health, well being or appearance."

6 Tip-offs to Rip-offs: Don't Fall for Health Fraud Scams

A health product is fraudulent if it is promoted to treat a disease or condition, but not scientifically proven safe and effective for that purpose.

Advisories and Alerts

Advisory Letters

The U.S. FDA issued letters to these companies for illegally marketing products for the treatment or prevention of serious diseases. Thirty days after FDA issued these letters, the companies listed have failed to voluntarily cease illegally marketing products for serious diseases.

Registrar and Registry Abuse Complaints

The U.S. FDA sent abuse complaints to registrars managing websites that offer any unapproved drugs or uncleared devices, or potentially counterfeit, controlled, adulterated or misbranded products to U.S. consumers in violation of U.S. law.

Health Fraud Warning Letters

Warning letters issued to firms for selling fraudulent products with claims.

Health Fraud Recalls

The page provides information gathered from press announcements and other public notices about certain recalls of health fraud related products regulated by FDA.