When are claims regulated by the Federal Trade Commission and when are they regulated by the Food and Drug Administration?
The FTC and the FDA have a long-standing liaison agreement to allocate their efforts efficiently. As a general rule, advertising for foods, over-the-counter drugs, dietary supplements, medical devices, and cosmetics is regulated by the FTC. Labeling for these products is regulated by the FDA. In addition, the FDA handles most matters related to prescription drug advertising and labeling. For more information about marketing a product within the FDA’s jurisdiction, visit the FDA’s website at www.fda.gov or call the FDA Inquiries Line, 1-888-INFO-FDA.