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Posted January 19, 2022

FDA Warns Seller of Carnitine and Alpha Lipoic Acid Supplements

On November 18, 2021, the FDA issued a warning letter to GeroNova Research Inc. following a review of the company's website,  social media, and Amazon listing, which found statements about the company's products, including CARNITINE PLUS Vegacaps, GeroNova Beauté Infine Elixir (also referred to as Liquid L-Carnitine and Liquid CARNITINE-PLUS,) and R-Lipoic Acid Vegacaps (both 300 mg and 100 mg), to be drug claims.

For example, the company's Amazon, website, and social media promotes CARNITINE PLUS Vegacaps and GeroNova Beauté Infine Elixir with statements such as "…supplemental Acetyl-L-Carnitine ‘significantly decreases depressive symptoms compared with placebo/no intervention…'" and "…slows signs of…cardiovascular and neurological disorders." R-Lipoic Acid Vegacaps were promoted with statements such as, "‘Possess anti-diabetic and anti-obesity properties,'...as it both increases insulin sensitivity through AMPK activation...and reduces insulin in pancreatic beta cells..." 

The agency warned that the products are considered to be "new drugs" because "they are not generally recognized as safe and effective for use under the conditions prescribed, recommended, or suggested in their labeling." The products were also found to be misbranded because the labels did not provide bear adequate directions for its intended use.

The company has 15 days to respond to the FDA in writing, explaining the steps it has taken to correct these violations.

See ConsumerLab's reviews of Acetyl-L-Carnitine Supplements and Alpha-Lipoic Acid Supplements for more information and tests of related products.

For more information, use the link below.

Warning Letter: GeroNova Research Inc.

See related recalls and warnings:

Fat-Burning, Energy Supplement Linked to Heart Trouble

FDA Warns Seller of Alpha Lipoic Acid, Berberine, and More

FDA Warns Consumers Not to Buy or Use Weight Loss Supplement Containing Hidden Drug

Seller of Prostate, Heart Supplements and More Warned for Drug Claims