The Food and Drug Administration called on U.S. Marshals to seize dietary supplements by a Wisconsin maker for allegedly false claims made about their safety and effectiveness in treating diseases, the FDA announced yesterday.

The products manufactured at the Hillsboro, Wis., facility of Syntec Inc. are not FDA-approved, the agency said in a press release. It said that a complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin alleges that several of Syntec Inc.'s products are unapproved new drugs that may not be introduced into interstate commerce, and are in violation of federal law.

According to the FDA, the company allegedly claimed in videos and promotional materials that some of its products could be used to prevent, treat, or cure diseases such as asthma, cardiovascular disease, cataracts, glaucoma and infections. But the products are not FDA-approved as safe and effective for treating any diseases, the agency said.

The company's dietary supplements are sold under brand names including BoneCare, CardioCare, DigestiveCare, JointCare, SynBio, SynBio-X, SynCell, SynGevity, SynOmega, SynOPC, SynOPC-X, SynPhyto-K, SynVita, and VisionCare, according to the FDA.

"Marketing new drug products without FDA review or approval is dangerous because the products may cause consumers to delay or avoid legitimate treatments," said Dara A. Corrigan, the FDA’s associate commissioner for regulatory affairs. Company spokespersons could not be reached for comment.

Learn more about the 12 dietary supplements to avoid as well as the 11 supplements to consider in Consumer Reports Health's Dangerous supplements report.

Source:
FDA: U.S. Marshals seize dietary supplements, drugs manufactured by Syntec Inc. [FDA Press Release]