CLAIM RULINGS · SUBSTANTIATION

Can a supplement say “studies show”?

Only with the study cited. The FTC expects the research to exist and to match both the claim and the product, so cite it specifically or remove the sentence.

SEVERITY WE ASSIGN
MEDIUM
STANDARD FAMILY
Substantiation
ENFORCED BY
FTC
§ 01 · WHY IT FAILS

The rule this runs into

Uncited research reference. FTC expects the study to exist and to match.

We file this under substantiation and rate it medium. It is enforced by FTC, which matters because a single phrase can fail in more than one place at once: a listing suppression, an ad-account review and a warning letter are three different consequences of the same sentence.

§ 02 · WHAT TO SAY INSTEAD

The compliant version

This is the rewrite an audit ships for this phrase, in the words we would hand you.

THE RULING’S OWN REWRITE

Cite it specifically, or remove.

CLAIMS THAT HOLD IN ITS PLACE
EVIDENCE
Formulated with clinically studied ingredients

'Studied' not 'proven'. Cite the study.

Every structure/function claim on this page still needs the FDA disclaimer wherever it appears. That requirement has its own ruling.

§ 03 · HOW COMMON IT IS

You are not the only one running it

39
OF 325 BRANDS IN THE DATABASE

39 of the 325 brands we have ruled carry this phrase or a direct variant on a live listing. Counts are distinct brands, not listings, across 1,149 top-selling Amazon US listings in five categories.

Being common is not a defence. It does mean the phrase is easy for an automated sweep to find, on your listing and on everyone else’s. The full ranking sits on the research page.

Is this phrase on your listing right now?

Run one ASIN through the free check. You get the severity counts on your own copy, ruled against all 81 standards, with no sales call attached.

Free ASIN check
§ 04 · NEARBY RULINGS

Same family, same trap

MEDIUM · SUBSTANTIATION
Can a supplement say “best” or “most effective”?
HIGH · SUBSTANTIATION
Can a supplement say “burns fat”?
MEDIUM · SUBSTANTIATION
Can a supplement say “all-natural”?
ALL 30 PUBLISHED RULINGS →
CITE USThis ruling is free to quote. Credit “Claims Verified” and link here. It is regulatory review of marketing language, not legal advice.
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