Study of FDA Men's Supplement Recall Data Reveals a Link Between UPC Codes and AdulterationMaxLabs US, the Michigan-based producer of IMPRESS! Dietary Supplement for Men, reveals study results showing a previously-unidentified link among FDA-recalled men's supplements- 100% of the studied products' UPC codes aren't assigned to the entities printed on the packaging. Bad actors are apparently skirting FDA enforcement using "resold" UPC codes. The discovery could ultimately serve to streamline enforcement activity.
By: MaxLabs US, LLC 34 of the 103 recalled brands satisfied the two study requirements: Kenny Thomas, MaxLabs US COO states, "The UPC codes on items we buy are taken for granted. People don't realize these barcodes are sophisticated identifiers, forever tied to the original company that purchased them. While merchants can control what's displayed when they are scanned, their original owner remains on permanent file with GS1, the official issuer of UPC codes, who creates them. Barcodes can act as "a fingerprint" Unfortunately, idle barcodes assigned to defunct companies or discontinued items are sold on the open market and often printed on packaging of these fraudulent supplements." It's currently possible to buy supplements bearing UPC codes originally assigned to fishing tackle, plumbing parts, or clothing companies. While the use of resold barcodes in this manner is not currently illegal, the study results illustrate the practice is widespread in adulterated male enhancement supplements. It permits the makers to introduce their products into commerce while simultaneously concealing their identities from authorities and consumers. The results shown below reflects data from GS1 Global Database and Secretary of State business entity searches for each listed UPC holder. UPC AND STATE BUSINESS ENTITY SEARCH RESULTS · 100% Listed UPC holder company DOES NOT match name on the product label. · 41.2% Listed UPC holder company was dissolved or suspended prior to the recall. · 23.5% Listed UPC holder company was not registered in state databases. · 17.6% Listed UPC holder company is active, but not in supplements. · 14.7% Listed UPC holder company was withheld or invalid. · 2.9% Listed UPC holder company is a foreign entity. Legitimate supplement producers have no reason to consider applying one of these resold UPC codes to their products. The cost savings of using a resold code over a GS1-issued code is minimal. More important is the fact major food and drug chains require verifiable GS1 UPC assignment. Prohibiting use of resold UPC codes on these products would improve accountability and men's safety. About MaxLabs US MaxLabs US designs and markets premium quality nutraceuticals. With a business model built on Innovation, Quality & Value, the company is led by a core team possessing over 75 years' collective experience in business leadership, healthcare, and medical devices. Their flagship brand, IMPRESS!® for Men, is comprised of eight branded bioactives. Quality assurance, testing, assembly, and packaging of MaxLabs US products are U.S.-based. MaxLabs US is headquartered in Washington, MI USA. Contact Kenny Thomas, COO ***@maxlabsus.com Photos: https://www.prlog.org/ https://www.prlog.org/ End
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