State Rep. Erin Byrnes (D-Dearborn) speaks at her Protecting Kids, Promoting Health press conference on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, at the Anderson House Office Building in Lansing.

 

LANSING, Mich., Nov. 6, 2025 — Yesterday, state Rep. Erin Byrnes (D-Dearborn) held a press conference to introduce the Weight Loss Products and Minors Act, which would prohibit the sale of certain dietary supplements and diet pills to minors. Byrnes was joined by Dr. Kendrin R. Sonneville, Associate Professor and Director of the Center of Excellence for Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, Dr. Sam L. Hahn, Assistant Professor of Population Health Research at Central Michigan University College of Medicine, Dr. Vivienne M. Hazzard, Assistant Professor of Public Health at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, and Katrina Lang, an undergrad student from the University of Michigan studying Cognitive Science.

Many young people have turned to weight loss supplements in the pursuit of unrealistic body standards, without understanding the risks involved. One study found that more than 15 protein powders and shakes contained dangerous levels of lead, with some exceeding ten times the safe limit. These supplements are dangerously underregulated, often untested for safety in minors, but still aggressively marketed.

“Diet pills are not something children need and marketing them to minors is simply wrong,” Byrnes said. “These products can be dangerous, come with serious side effects, and minors who use them are far more likely to develop body image issues, dysmorphia or eating disorders later in life.”

The legislation would authorize the Board of Pharmacy, within Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) to establish a list of restricted dietary supplements based on a number of factors. It would also prohibit minors from purchasing these products, either in stores or online, and would require ID verification upon purchase. Similar legislation has already passed in New York and has been introduced in almost a dozen other states.

“Teens struggling with body image issues are especially susceptible to deceptive marketing, and this legislation would protect them from predatory industries that profit from their insecurities,” Sonneville said. “This legislation is a pragmatic, cost effective step to safeguard young people’s well-being and affirm that their safety comes before profit.”

“One in three of our adolescents in rural Michigan are using harmful products that are widely available on store shelves,” Hahn said. “Widespread use and easy access to diet pills and muscle-building products have mistakenly led youth to believe they are safe. This legislation will clearly demonstrate to Michigan youth that these products are harmful.”

Michigan’s current regulatory framework for weight loss drugs has not caught up with the modern reality of these supplements. The widespread availability of these substances has made them more socially acceptable, but not safer.

“Across studies, we see a consistent pattern: early use of these unregulated products predicts later harm,” Hazzard said. “By restricting sales of these dangerous supplements to minors, we can take a meaningful step toward preventing eating disorders and promoting healthy development for youth in Michigan.”

“I almost lost my life to an eating disorder and it all started because of products I could buy off of the shelves,” Lang said. “Kids shouldn’t have access to dangerous, unregulated products. These pills and powders are what almost killed me and yet they are still marketed to minors as if they are harmless.”

“We shouldn’t expect kids to comprehend a complicated list of the potential side effects of these supplements,” Byrnes continued. “People like Katrina Lang remind us of why this legislation is so important. These substances can cause serious, life-long harm, and even death. There is absolutely no reason they should be marketed and available to Michigan’s youth.”

Byrnes’ office worked closely with partners across Michigan along with STRIPED (Strategic Training Initiative for the Prevention of Eating Disorders) at Harvard University to research and develop this legislation.

“Too often, these deceptive products are laced with hidden, dangerous ingredients and peddled to kids with reckless disregard for their safety and wellbeing,” Dr. S. Bryn Austin, Professor at Harvard and Director of STRIPED said. “State Rep. Byrnes’ bold action will finally put Michigan’s children ahead of industry profits and give parents and families much-needed protection from these predatory products.”

“Weight loss and muscle building supplements are dangerous, potentially deadly weapons in the hands of minors as they can swiftly push mild emotional struggles and body image concerns into life-threatening mood and eating disorders,” Judith Banker, Founder & Executive Director at the Center for Eating Disorders, said. “We strongly recommend the state implement measures to prohibit the sale of these substances to minors.”

“This legislation is about protecting our kids,” Byrnes concluded. “We’ve seen other states take or begin to take the necessary steps to keep these harmful products out of the hands of kids and it’s time Michigan did the same.

 

A recording of the press conference can be viewed here.

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