California Enforces ID Check for Muscle Supplements Starting 2027
California’s new law mandates ID checks for muscle and weight-loss supplements for those under 18, sparking debate over youth safety and regulation.
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California will require retailers to verify the age of customers purchasing weight-loss and muscle-building supplements starting January 1, 2027, under Assembly Bill 2030. The law, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on September 28, aims to prevent minors from accessing supplements marketed for dramatic physical effects. Retailers must check for valid ID if they cannot determine a customer’s age visually.
Scope of the Law
The law applies to any product marketed for weight loss or muscle building, including creatine, green tea extract, raspberry ketone, garcinia cambogia, and green coffee bean extract. Labels promising appetite suppression, metabolism boosts, or strength gains are also covered. The placement of the product on store shelves can also influence its classification.
Author’s Rationale
Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal, the bill’s author, linked the measure to social media trends that he argues push teenagers to buy untested supplements. He called out ‘looksmaxxing’ trends, which he claims promote dangerous body modifications through unproven products.
Industry Pushback
Supplement trade groups, including the Consumer Healthcare Products Association and the Council for Responsible Nutrition, criticized the law’s broad reach. Steve Mister of the Council for Responsible Nutrition stated the law risks capturing everyday products like fiber, protein, and multivitamins. The American Herbal Products Association also raised concerns, noting that ingredients like protein and vitamin D could inadvertently fall under the law’s scope.
Enforcement and Penalties
Each violation could cost retailers up to $500. The state attorney general, county counsel, or city attorney can sue for non-compliance, and courts can order sales to stop. Online sellers must verify buyers’ age through government data or require an adult signature for delivery.
Context and Similar Laws
Newsom has previously restricted other items for minors, such as smartphone use in schools. New York enacted a similar law in 2023, which took effect in 2024. The nutrition council has challenged that law on First Amendment grounds, seeking a Supreme Court review.
Source: Breitbart
