Dietary supplements for weight loss and over-the-counter diet pills

California bars sales and promotional giveaways of over-the-counter diet pills and weight-loss or muscle-building supplements to people under 18.

The law creates age-verification duties for in-store and online sellers and allows public enforcement against violations.

What the law does

Prohibits retail, wholesale promotional, and delivery sales of covered products to Californians under 18, except for minors with a prescription.
Requires retailers to check valid identification when they cannot reasonably determine that a buyer is at least 18.
Requires delivery sellers to verify a purchaser's age and identity through an independent qualifying database, require age-verified adult-signature delivery, or both.
Allows courts to consider ingredients, marketing, product placement, and product grouping in deciding whether a supplement is marketed for weight loss or muscle building.
Authorizes injunctions, civil penalties up to $500 per violation, and reasonable attorney's fees and costs for prevailing plaintiffs.

Pharmacies, grocery stores, other retailers, and businesses offering covered products as promotions.
Online retailers and other delivery sellers shipping covered products to California consumers.
Californians under 18 seeking covered products, unless they have a prescription.