Local Herbal Supplement Vendor Agrees With Study Alleging Widespread Mislabeling

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - A scathing new study on herbal supplements is ripping through the industry.

There are 30,000 herbal products sold per year in North America, totaling $5 billion in sales. But some of those bottles in your cabinet contain nothing more than rice, soybean and wheat.

Marcus Gallon sells more than a gallon of supplements inside his Natomas store. And as he dishes out products, he says he personally researches to make sure they're legitimate.

The 10-year veteran of the health supplement industry says there's more than a spoonful of truth to the latest news about some herbal remedies. He says he's not surprised by the news, and says sometimes the products aren't what they claim to be.

"It does not surprise me…very common in this industry," said Gallon.

The common practice of mislabeling or leaving out key ingredients is now being backed up by a new study. Using DNA barcoding, researchers tested 44 bottles of popular supplements from a dozen companies and found in some cases the "healing herbs" contained nothing more than powdered rice and weeds. One-third of the herbs tested showed no trace of the plant listed on the label.

So what's a consumer to do? Gallon says it's simple: Do your homework and ask tough questions.

"And holding that person behind the counter responsible for what they say and what they do. Don't just buy into well, this is a magic pill, because at the end of the day, unfortunately, there is no magic pill," said Gallon.

Gallon says if you ask a question about an herbal product and the person selling it to you doesn't know the answer, don't buy it.

The study does not name any of the brands it tested.