Dietary Supplement Lawsuit | 2025 Latest Updates

If you or a loved one experienced serious health complications or injuries following the use of dietary supplements containing undisclosed steroids, you may be entitled to pursue compensation.

At Schmidt & Clark, we are dedicated to helping individuals who have suffered due to contaminated or mislabeled dietary supplements. Our experienced legal team is here to guide you through the process and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Contact Schmidt & Clark today for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Dietary Supplement Lawsuit Overview

Several dietary supplement firms marketing products as “natural” have been fined by federal courts for secretly adding illegal steroids to their formulations.

These companies violated federal regulations by including pharmaceutical-grade steroids in their products without proper disclosure, leading to hundreds of reported adverse health effects nationwide.

The FDA has issued multiple warnings about these contaminated supplements, urging consumers to exercise caution when purchasing dietary aids, particularly those marketed for bodybuilding or rapid weight loss.

Latest Dietary Supplement Lawsuit Updates

• August 7, 2024 – Five companies found guilty of selling workout supplements laced with illegal steroids have been fined by a federal court in Atlanta. The manufacturers face combined penalties exceeding $5.2 million for knowingly distributing products containing anabolic steroids while marketing them as “natural supplements.”
• June 15, 2024 – FDA expands investigation into 27 additional dietary supplement companies after laboratory testing revealed undisclosed steroid compounds in products sold by these companies that were marketed as “all-natural” pre-workout formulations.
• May 22, 2024 – A class action lawsuit has been filed against Major Nutrition Inc. after 43 consumers reported severe liver damage after using the company’s bodybuilding supplements, which were later found to contain synthetic anabolic steroids.
• April 8, 2024 – The Department of Justice announced criminal charges against the executives of UltraFit Nutrition for knowingly distributing supplements containing illegal steroids while marketing them as “purely natural supplements.”
• January 15, 2024 – The FDA issued a public safety announcement warning consumers about the dangers of dietary supplements contaminated with anabolic steroids, listing 37 specific products to avoid after laboratory testing confirmed the presence of illegal substances.

Market Statistics and Economic Impact

The dietary supplement industry generates approximately $55 billion annually in the United States alone, with sports nutrition and bodybuilding supplements accounting for nearly $10 billion of this market.

According to industry reports, approximately 150 million Americans take dietary supplements regularly, with an estimated 8.5 million using sports performance or bodybuilding supplements.

Economic impact data from the FDA indicates that steroid-contaminated supplements have resulted in:

• Over 2,300 hospitalizations between 2019-2024
• Healthcare costs exceeding $175 million annually
• Lost productivity estimated at $80 million per year
• Legal settlements totaling more than $238 million since 2020

CDC reports indicate that adverse effects from contaminated supplements disproportionately affect males aged 18-45, with 72% of serious medical interventions occurring in this demographic.

FDA Reports and Statistics

According to the FDA’s MAUDE (Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience) database:

• 1,872 adverse events specifically linked to steroid-contaminated dietary supplements were reported in the past 24 months
• 37% of reported cases resulted in hospitalization
• 12% required intensive care treatment
• 6% resulted in long-term liver damage

The FDA has issued 43 warning letters to supplement manufacturers in the past year alone and has mandated the recall of 19 specific products found to contain anabolic steroids or related compounds.

Dietary Supplement Injuries & Side Effects

Steroid-contaminated dietary supplements can cause severe and sometimes permanent health complications, especially when consumers are unaware they are ingesting powerful hormonal substances.

Serious side effects include:

• Liver Damage: Elevated liver enzymes, jaundice, and potential liver failure
• Cardiovascular Issues: Heart attacks, strokes, dangerous blood pressure elevation
• Hormonal Disruption: Testicular atrophy, gynecomastia in men, menstrual irregularities in women
• Psychological Effects: Severe mood swings, aggression, depression, and potential psychological dependence

Do You Qualify for a Dietary Supplement Lawsuit?

You may qualify for a dietary supplement lawsuit if:

• You consumed a dietary supplement between 2020-2025
• You experienced serious side effects including liver damage, cardiovascular complications, or hormonal disruptions
• The injuries required medical treatment or hospitalization
• Medical testing confirms the presence of steroids in your system or product testing confirms steroid contamination
• You can provide proof of purchase and usage of the supplement

Evidence Required for a Dietary Supplement Lawsuit

To build a strong case, the following evidence must be collected and preserved:

• Original product packaging and remaining product (if available)
• Receipts or proof of purchase
• Medical records documenting your injuries
• Laboratory test results confirming steroid presence in your system
• Documentation of all medical expenses related to your injuries

Damages You Can Recover

Victims of steroid-contaminated dietary supplements may be entitled to compensation for:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Punitive damages against manufacturers who knowingly added illegal substances

Dietary Supplement Recall Information

The FDA has ordered multiple recalls of contaminated supplements in recent years:

• July 2024: National recall of UltraGain Plus, MaxBurn Elite, and PowerRush Pre-Workout after testing revealed multiple anabolic steroids in these formulations.
• March 2024: Voluntary recall of 12 bodybuilding supplements manufactured by Supreme Nutrition after FDA testing found synthetic testosterone derivatives.
• November 2023: Mandatory recall of Elite Performance Series supplements affecting 27 products across 6 brands following reports of severe liver damage in consumers.
• September 2023: Total recall of all products by FitForce Supplements after investigations revealed systematic contamination with anabolic steroids in their manufacturing facility.

Recalled products were primarily marketed for bodybuilding, rapid weight loss, or athletic performance enhancement. Consumers in possession of these products should stop using them immediately and contact the manufacturer for refund information.

Statute of Limitations for Dietary Supplement Lawsuits

The time limit for filing a dietary supplement lawsuit varies by state:

• California: 2 years from date of injury discovery
• Texas: 2 years from date of injury
• Florida: 4 years from date of injury
• New York: 3 years from date of injury
• Illinois: 2 years from date of injury

Many states have “discovery rules” that extend the filing deadline if the consumer could not reasonably have known about the steroid contamination earlier. Consulting with an attorney promptly is essential to preserve your legal rights.

Related Articles: 

• Bodybuilding.com Supplement Recall
• Retailer Pleads Guilty to Spiking Supplements With Steroids
• GNC Supplement Lawsuit
• Craze Pre Workout Supplement Case

Read more here to find out which dietary supplement lawsuits our lawyers are currently accepting.

FAQs

1. How Can Consumers Identify if a Dietary Supplement Contains Steroids?

Consumers can identify potential contamination by checking product labels for warnings about “rapid results,” unusually effective results, and telling language like “pharmaceutical grade” or claims of “dramatic results.” Laboratory testing is the only definitive way to confirm steroid presence.

2. What Are the Legal Implications of Using Dietary Supplements That Contain Steroids?

Using supplements with steroids can lead to legal issues, including positive drug tests affecting employment, athletic disqualification, and potential liability for health complications caused by the steroids. Consumers are generally not held liable if they were unaware of the contamination.

3. Who Is Responsible If a Dietary Supplement With Steroids Causes Injury?

Responsibility may lie with the manufacturers for failing to disclose ingredients, distributors for negligent handling, and retailers who knowingly sell contaminated products. Multiple parties in the supply chain can be named in lawsuits when supplements cause harm.

4. How Much Compensation Can I Expect From a Dietary Supplement Lawsuit?

Compensation varies widely based on injury severity, medical expenses, and long-term health impacts. Recent settlements have ranged from $25,000 for minor injuries to over $1.5 million for cases involving permanent organ damage or life-threatening conditions.

5. Can I Join an Existing Class Action Lawsuit for Contaminated Supplements?

Yes, if your case involves the same product and similar injuries as an existing class action. Your attorney can determine whether joining a class action or pursuing an individual claim will provide better compensation for your specific circumstances.

6. What If My Doctor Didn’t Initially Connect My Health Problems to Supplement Use?

This is common as many healthcare providers don’t immediately suspect supplement contamination. Proper documentation of your supplement use history, along with comprehensive medical testing, can establish this connection even after initial misdiagnosis.

7. Are Online Retailers Liable for Selling Contaminated Supplements?

Online marketplaces and retailers can be held liable if they failed to perform adequate due diligence on products they sell, especially if they had reason to suspect contamination or received previous complaints about specific products.

8. How Long Does a Dietary Supplement Lawsuit Typically Take to Resolve?

Most dietary supplement contamination cases settle within 9-18 months, although complex cases involving multiple plaintiffs or severe injuries may take 2-3 years to fully resolve, particularly if the case proceeds to trial.

Take Action Now: Time-Sensitive Legal Claims

Time is limited to pursue legal action for injuries caused by contaminated dietary supplements. Most states only allow 2-4 years from the date of injury to file a claim, and this window may close sooner than you realize.

Our specialized legal team offers:

• Free, confidential consultations to evaluate your case
• No upfront costs or attorney fees
• Payment only if we win your case or secure a settlement
• Comprehensive case management from initial filing through resolution

Don’t wait until it’s too late to seek justice for your injuries. The manufacturers who endangered your health should be held accountable.

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