BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK\/KBFX) \u2014 California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a new law prohibiting the sale of certain weight-loss and muscle-building supplements to anyone under 18.<\/p>\n
Assembly Bill 2030, authored by Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal, D-Long Beach, and signed by Newsom on Sept. 28, restricts the sale of over-the-counter diet pills and supplements marketed for weight loss or muscle building, unless a minor has a prescription.<\/p>\n
According to the legislation, the restrictions apply to pharmacies, grocery stores, supplement retailers and online businesses.<\/p>\n
Retailers must request identification when they cannot reasonably determine a customer’s age. Online sellers must verify a purchaser’s age through qualifying databases or require an adult signature and identification upon delivery.<\/p>\n
Businesses that violate the law could face civil penalties of up to $500 per violation.<\/p>\n
The legislation identifies ingredients such as creatine, green tea extract and raspberry ketone as factors courts may consider when determining whether a product is covered. However, the law does not automatically ban products containing those ingredients.<\/p>\n
Newsom’s office said the restrictions are part of the governor’s broader effort to protect teenagers from potentially dangerous or mislabeled products and reduce health risks associated with their use.<\/p>\n
The law is scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2027, under California’s general rule that legislation passed during a regular legislative session takes effect on January 1 of the following year, unless an exception applies. AB 2030 does not specify a different effective date.<\/p>\n