Note: Although the sale of food supplements are unregulated, the
FTC has power to investigate unsubstantiated sales claims, e.g. claims
of scientific proof that a product works. These include extremely dangerous
claims, such as highly exaggerated claims that shellfish chitin can lower
cholesterol, even if you habitually overeat fatty foods..
These investigations usually result in settlement agreements, not
prosecution -- whereupon another company makes the same claim. Hence it
behooves consumers to check EVERY wonder claim in every infomercial.