NCL Issues a Second Alert to Heed Warnings About Unregulated Versions of GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs

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Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829 

Washington, DC – A year ago, the National Consumers League took the unusual step of flagging warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and medical societies stating that compounded versions of GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists) weight-loss drugs are not FDA approved and may cause serious health problems. The purpose was to inform consumers about the potential harm posed by these drugs before Hims & Hers, a large telehealth company, aired a widely hyped television ad during the 2025 Super Bowl touting only the benefits of compounded GLP-1s.  

Now, NCL is raising alarm bells in advance of this year’s Super Bowl, where at least two telehealth companies – Hims & Hers and Ro – will use the Big Game to promote “personalized” compounded GLP-1s as a new trend in health care.  

Taking the form of microdosing injectable GLP-1s or as medications formulated with added ingredients such as B vitamins, these non-standard formulations are untested; lack FDA approval for safety, quality, or efficacy; and, according to the FDA, carry risks such as dosing errors and severe side effects.   

NCL’s consumer alert reflects a different market for compounded GLP-1 weight-loss drugs than what existed a year ago. At the time of the 2025 Super Bowl, there was a shortage of the branded GLP-1 drugs semaglutide (Ozempic© and Wegovy©) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro© and Zepbound©, which opened the door for compounding pharmacies to sell non-identical versions under specific FDA regulations. This dynamic produced a largely unregulated online marketplace where telehealth companies and other sellers mass-produced and widely promoted compounded GLP-1 drugs containing a different source of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (what drugs are made from), meaning the compounded versions were not the same and according to the FDA, could contain incorrect doses, too much or too little of the active ingredient, and possibly contaminants and bacteria.  

Underscoring the potential health consequences from dosing errors and exposure to the wrong ingredients, in September 2025, the FDA reported receiving 1,150 reports of adverse events associated with compounded GLP-1 drugs, including hospitalizations and some deaths. Additionally, poison control centers reported a nearly 1,500 percent increase in calls since 2019 due to overdose or side effects. In many of these cases, people reported dosing errors, sometimes taking 10 times the recommended dose, according to multiple poison control centers. 

Also of concern, the FDA and medical societies warned the public to be aware of illegal online pharmacies selling counterfeit GLP-1s and so-called GLP-1 products (patches, liquids, gummies) in forms that do not contain actual GLP-1 ingredients. Moreover, the FDA issued warnings about bad actors selling the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) directly to consumers via the Internet, either in powder form labeled “not for human consumption” or in vials labeled as a “research chemical,” along with dosing instructions. This illegal practice is extremely dangerous, yet sellers advertised on social media that giving consumers access to the API is an easier, more affordable way to obtain GLP-1 drugs.  

The good news is that regulators are taking actions to address these problems. In March 2025, the FDA declared the end of the national shortage of approved GLP-1 drugs and gave online sellers until May 22 to withdraw mass-produced compounded versions from the market. Then, in September, the Trump Administration launched a crackdown on deceptive direct-to-consumer drug advertising, resulting in the FDA publishing over 55 warning letters to online sellers of compounded versions of GLP-1 medications that called for the removal of “false and misleading” promotional statements, claims of “clinically proven weight-loss treatments,” and using the words “FDA-approved” in advertising copy. 

However, even with these promising developments, the largely unregulated exploitative marketplace for selling GLP-1 products persists and now involves marketing “personalized” compounded GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, which can cause harm due to unknown formulations, dosing errors, and severe side effects.  

Therefore, NCL urges consumers to learn about the safety risks associated with non-standard forms of GLP-1s and to heed these warnings from the FDA and medical authorities: 

In light of this information, NCL offers this advice to consumers when considering GLP-1 treatment options: 

  • Before seeking treatment with a GLP-1 drug, talk to your doctor or health provider to determine if you are a candidate for treatment based on your risk factors and degree of obesity. 
  • When possible, the FDA recommends that patients opt for FDA-approved GLP-1 medications and fill prescriptions at a state-licensed pharmacy. 
  • Because GLP-1 drugs are serious medicines that carry risks as well as benefits, it is best to obtain a prescription from your doctor or a health professional you know. 
  • Be aware of the differences between FDA-approved GLP-1 drugs and products sold online that claim to be “the same” as these medicines, only cheaper and more convenient. Unlike FDA-approved medicines, compounded GLP-1 drugs and products promoted as alternatives to the FDA-approved versions – such as oral supplements and patches – do not go through the FDA’s rigorous review process to ensure safety, effectiveness, and quality. Moreover, there are differences in how these products are made, and the ingredients may come from undisclosed sources. The FDA warns that these products may be at different dosage levels, increasing the risk of dosing errors. 
  • Before ordering a GLP-1 drug through an online pharmacy, follow the FDA’s tips to spot warning signs that the website may be unsafe, such as the online pharmacy being unlicensed in the US or by a state board of pharmacy, or offering deep discounts that seem too good to be true. 

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About the National Consumers League (NCL)      

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.  

American Exceptionalism 2.0 – Turning Nutrition Guidance on Its Head

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By Nancy Glick, Director of Food and Nutrition Policy at the National Consumers League

“American exceptionalism,” the idea that the United States is a unique nation rooted in democracy and liberty, dates back to the country’s founding. In fact, the colonial writer Thomas Paine described America as an exceptional civilization in his 1776 pamphlet Common Sense.

But now, there is a different form of American uniqueness – American exceptionalism 2.0 – that is not lofty and puts the U.S. at odds with the health recommendations of most other nations. Grounded in the view of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that “we need to stop trusting the experts,” American exceptionalism 2.0 assumes past scientific evidence was wrong and America needs a reset in health and environmental policy. Over the past year, sweeping changes have followed, impacting the health of the nation – from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) erasing decades of climate and air pollution rules to HHS reducing the number of vaccines recommended for children from 11 to 18 without following established procedures for making such changes.

The newest result is the release of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans- 2025-2030, which HHS Secretary Kennedy and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins assert is “the most significant reset of federal nutrition policy in decades.” They are right.

Sidestepping the 400-plus page 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) Report finalized in December 2024, the Secretaries dismissed its findings and assembled a different panel of scientists, seven of whom had ties to the dairy and meat industries. The resulting report omits more than half of DGAC’s recommendations and presents an upside-down food pyramid that nutrition and public health organizations says fails to translate nutrition science into clear dietary guidance.

To be clear, some aspects of the dietary guidelines are widely supported. They retain recommendations to drink more water, eat more fruits and vegetables, and choose whole over refined grains. The big call-out is the recommendation to reduce the consumption of ultra-processed foods and sugar-sweetened beverages –because these products have little nutritional value, and have high amounts of salt, sweeteners, and unhealthy fats. According to new estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 55 percent of Americans’ calories come from ultra-processed foods, increasing the risk for diet-related chronic diseases.

Yet, NCL joins other consumer, public health, and medical societies in raising the alarm that ending what the Trump Administration calls “the war on protein” and promoting red meat and full-fat dairy will push consumers beyond recommended limits for sodium and saturated fats. Nutrition experts caution that advising people to consume 1.2 to 1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight daily – meaning eating protein at every meal – would double the previously recommended daily allowance of 0.8 grams.

The new guidelines also abandon longstanding advice on drinking alcohol, which previously recommended limiting daily consumption to one or two drinks, with an explanation of what this means for beer, wine, and distilled spirits. Instead, they use vague language such as “consume less alcohol” without distinguishing between men and women, who metabolize alcohol differently, or cautioning against underage drinking.

Dr. Mehmet Oz, the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), justified the approach, calling alcohol a “social lubricant that brings people together.”  But, putting people’s social life ahead over public health ignores the that excessive alcohol use contributes to about 178,000 deaths annually; causes various cancers, heart and liver diseases, and other chronic conditions; and costs the U.S. economy approximately $249 billion each year, according to the CDC.

Since 1980, the Dietary Guidelines have been issued every five years to impart the latest science-based dietary advice. But this time, HHS and USDA threw out the old rulebook.

As RFK Jr. said at the press conference I attended, “medical orthodoxies have to be challenged.” But challenging science without credible, evidence-based justification raises serious concerns—especially when powerful industry interests, including beef, dairy, and alcohol lobbies, were prominently present and seemingly influential in shaping this new, upside-down dietary guidelines pyramid. This approach risks prioritizing politics and profit over public health.

For American consumers, the stakes could not be higher. These changes threaten to weaken long-standing public health protections and undermine trust in science-based guidance. NCL will continue to raise these concerns and advocate for policies grounded in sound science, transparency, and consumer well-being. The real question now is whether this break from scientific norms will improve public health—or put it at risk. Time will tell.

Nancy Glick

New Options, Lower Costs, and Advice for Consumers Taking GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs

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By Nancy Glick, NCL Director of Food and Nutrition Policy

As 2026 gets underway, findings from the Pew Research Center estimate that three in ten Americans – more than 100 million people – started January with resolutions to save more money, get healthier, lose weight, spend more time with family and friends, and quit smoking.  Yet, only about 9 percent of Americans will ultimately keep their resolutions, according to the Pew findings. In fact, studies project that 23 percent of people quit their resolution by the end of the first week, and 43 percent quit by the end of January.  

Usually, resolutions to lose weight are where many Americans fail. But this year, the goal of achieving a healthier weight is increasingly possible. Here are some reasons why: 

    • Americans with obesity now have the option of being treated with the first GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) weight loss weight pill. Approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December 2025, the so-called Wegovy© pill is indicated for people with obesity (BMI 30+) and those with overweight (BMI 27+) and at least one weight-related chronic condition. Containing the same active ingredient, semaglutide, as the widely used weekly GLP-1 injectable weight-loss treatment, the pill is taken once daily on an empty stomach, has comparable side effects (such as nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting) to injectable semaglutide, and also achieves similar weight-loss results. Specifically, in clinical trials, the pill achieved an average loss of 14 percent of a person’s body weight over 64 weeks when combined with diet and exercise. 
    • The FDA-approved weight loss pill is more affordable for consumers whose insurance does not cover obesity medication. Although pill prices vary depending on insurance coverage and dosage, for self-pay patients (without insurance), the cash prices range from $149 to $299 per month. This is because the pill form of semaglutide is cheaper to produce and does not require refrigeration. Moreover, the pill is widely available with a prescription from a qualified medical professional at over 70,000 U.S. pharmacies and via telehealth providers working with the manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, such as GoodRx and WeightWatchers.
    • The cost of injectable weight-loss drugs has dropped significantly. In May 2025, manufacturers of the popular GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, Wegovy© (semaglutide) and Zepbound© (tirzepatide), announced large price reductions for their injectable GLP-1 drugs, making it possible for “self-pay” consumers to access these FDA-approved medicines. Then, in November 2025, the drugmakers reached an agreement with the Trump Administration to set Medicare and Medicaid prices at $245 a month, including a $50 copay for many Medicare patients, significantly expanding access to these weight-loss and diabetes drugs for millions. 
    • The federal government is working on a pathway for Medicare and Medicaid to cover GLP-1 weight-loss drugs. On December 23, 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the BALANCE ( Better Approaches to Lifestyles and Nutrition for Comprehensive Health) Model, a voluntary program where CMS will work with Medicaid programs, Medicare insurance plans (Part D plans), and drugmakers to determine the best way to reduce net prices for GLP-1 medications, cap out-of-pocket costs, and standardize coverage criteria so people with Medicare and Medicaid coverage will have access to these treatments in the future. Under the program, CMS will waive the current Part D coverage exclusion for weight-loss medications, meaning GLP-1s will be included as a basic benefit of participating plans, and CMS will test different prices negotiated with manufacturers, the use of rebates to keep costs aligned with coverage terms, and cost-sharing options. CMS will begin testing different payment systems for Medicaid plans as early as May 2026 and for Medicare Part D starting in January 2027. Related to the BALANCE model, CMS will also conduct a payment demonstration starting in July 2026 that will allow eligible Medicare Part D beneficiaries to have coverage for GLP-1 drugs with an out-of-pocket cost of $50 a month.  

Because these developments translate into greater access to safe and effective FDA-approved GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, NCL recommends that consumers rethink their treatment decisions with a focus on drug safety. In February 2025, NCL issued a consumer alert with guidance from the FDA and obesity medicine specialists regarding the use of untested compounded GLP-1 drugs, possible counterfeits and fakes, and products sold online that the FDA warned could cause harm. Now that more FDA-approved GLP-1 drugs are readily available, NCL offers this updated advice:  

    • Before seeking treatment with a GLP-1 drug, talk to your doctor or health provider to determine if you are a candidate for treatment based on your risk factors and degree of obesity. 
    • When possible, the FDA recommends that patients opt for FDA-approved GLP-1 medications and fill prescriptions at a state-licensed pharmacy.
    • Because GLP-1 drugs are serious medicines that carry risks as well as benefits, it is best to obtain a prescription from your doctor or a health professional you know.
    • Be aware of the differences between FDA-approved GLP-1 drugs and products sold online that claim to be “the same” as these medicines, only cheaper and more convenient. Unlike FDA-approved medicines, compounded GLP-1 drugs and products promoted as alternatives to FDA-approved versions – such as oral supplements and patches – do not go through the FDA’s rigorous review process to ensure safety, effectiveness, and quality. Moreover, there are differences in how these products are manufactured, and their ingredients may come from undisclosed sources. The FDA warns that taking these products increases the risk of dosing errors and exposure to contaminants.  
    • Medical organizations warn that microdosing GLP-1s – meaning intentionally taking a smaller dose than the FDA-approved, on-label regimen – is an experimental practice that raises significant safety and effectiveness concerns. Although some telehealth companies claim that microdosing is a healthy way to lose weight and reduce metabolic risk, FDA does not approve or provide guidelines for “microdosing” GLP-1 medications and there is no clinical evidence from large-scale trials to support the safety or effectiveness of microdosing as a standard practice for weight loss or other claimed benefits.
    • In situations where you choose a telehealth option, beware of prescribing practitioners who do not take your personal history, do not diagnose the degree of obesity with appropriate evaluation measures, or prescribe a GLP-1 drug without ongoing monitoring.
    • Before ordering a GLP-1 drug through an online pharmacy, follow the FDA’s tips to spot the warning signs that the website may be unsafe, such as the online pharmacy is not licensed in the US or by a state board of pharmacy, or it offers deep discounts that seem too good to be true.  

New Dietary Guidelines Take on Ultra-processed Foods but Abandon Longstanding Advice on Red Meat, Full-Fat Dairy Products and Alcohol

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Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL) values recommendations in the newly released Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030, that encourage consumers to eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. That said, we have significant concerns that the guidelines abandon science-based recommendations limiting daily consumption of red meat, full-fat dairy products, and alcoholic beverages.

“The new Dietary Guidelines offers a jumble of some good and some bad advice that we worry will confuse consumers and lacks the clarity we should expect from federal food and nutrition agencies like the USDA and the FDA,” says NCL CEO Sally Greenberg.

On the positive side, NCL congratulates the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) for urging consumers to cut back on highly processed foods and sugar-sweetened beverages that are major factors contributing to obesity and chronic disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Americans consume over half their daily calories from ultra-processed foods, , which is why health experts from around the world are calling for government policies aimed at limiting consumption of added sugars, refined grains, highly processed foods, saturated fats, and sugary drinks.

At the same time, NCL joins with other consumer, public health, and medical societies that are concerned that ending what the Trump Administration calls “the war on protein” and bringing back an inverted food pyramid highlighting red meat and full-fat dairy products will cause consumers to exceed recommended limits for sodium and saturated fats. According to nutrition experts, the recommendation to consume 1.2 to 1.6 grams per kilogram of body weight of protein each day – meaning eating protein at every meal – will result in consuming twice the recommended daily allowance of 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight.

The new dietary guidelines also abandon longstanding advice on drinking alcohol, which until now recommended limiting daily consumption to one or two standard drinks a day, with an explanation of what this means when drinking beer, wine, or a distilled spirits product. Instead, the latest version only states that people should consume less alcohol “for better overall health” and “limit alcohol beverages.” Accordingly, the estimated 62 percent of adult Americans who consume alcoholic beverages will now be flying blind when attempting to make responsible drinking decisions.

Even more problematic, the guidelines do not distinguish between men and women, who metabolize alcohol differently, and fail to caution against underage drinking. Because alcohol is the most widely used substance among Americans aged 12 and older, contributing to about 178,000 deaths annually and causing various cancers, heart and liver diseases, and other chronic conditions, excessive alcohol use costs the U.S. economy approximately $249 billion each year. Thus, the vague focus on alcohol recommendations in the guidelines is not in the public interest and runs counter to the goals of the MAHA movement to reduce chronic disease in the US.

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About the National Consumers League (NCL)

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.

From Farm to Feast: National Consumers League Says You Should be Concerned About Food Safety This Holiday Season

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Avoid foodborne illness this Thanksgiving with simple steps for safe thawing, cooking, and leftovers.  

Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829  

Washington, DC – As Thanksgiving and Christmas quickly approach, the National Consumers League (NCL) reminds consumers that foodborne illnesses are on the rise. Still, some simple food safety practices will keep holiday meals safe and enjoyable for family and friends.  

“Food safety during the holidays should be a priority,” said NCL Director of Food and Nutrition Policy, Nancy Glick. “Foodborne illnesses affect about 48 million Americans annually, but spike over the holiday season when larger gatherings and leaving food out for extended periods create more opportunities for bacteria to grow and spread.”

Knowing how to prevent foodborne illness requires understanding what this health problem is, who is most at risk, and the types of foods that are most likely to become contaminated and harbor the bacteria that cause most cases of foodborne illness during the holidays.  

However, within these food categories, the USDA has identified a number of holiday foods that are known to carry food safety risks because they are more vulnerable to contamination.  These foods include stuffing made with raw poultry, stuffing, or casseroles, undercooked poultry (like turkey), raw eggs in dishes such as eggnog, and deli meats, especially if they are store-prepared deli salads. Other holiday foods that require attention are leafy greens, ready-to-cook dough and batter, raw or undercooked shellfish and especially oysters, and cooked rice left at room temperature, which can become breeding grounds for bacteria.   

Towards this end, information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is invaluable. Starting with a definition, CDC describes foodborne illnesses, also known as “food poisoning,” as diseases transmitted to people by eating or drinking something contaminated with bacteria, viruses, parasites, or chemicals, such as toxins or metals.  While a foodborne illness can be severe, leading to hospitalization, long-term health problems, and even death, most cases are mild and involve symptoms like upset stomach, diarrhea, and vomiting that resolve in a few days.   

The problem, however, is that certain groups of people are more susceptible to foodborne illness than others – meaning they are more likely to get sick from contaminated food. If they do get sick, the effects are often more serious. Thus, it is essential to be vigilant in following safe food-handling practices when shopping for, preparing, and storing foods that will be served to children under age 5, older adults, pregnant women, and people being treated for diabetes, cancer, autoimmune diseases, and HIV.   

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) cautions consumers to be aware of holiday foods that can harbor bacteria like Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria if not cooked or stored correctly. Using data reported from studying foodborne outbreak-related illnesses occurring between 1998 and 2008, USDA researchers determined that plant-based foods, including fruits, nuts, and vegetables, accounted for the most cases of foodborne illness (51 percent), followed by meat and poultry (42 percent) and dairy products (14 percent).      

Glick continues, “Knowing the risks associated with foodborne illness and the common holiday foods that may cause people to get sick are the keys to having a safe and healthy holiday. Foodborne illness is preventable, but this requires being serious about food safety practices, from handwashing, safe thawing methods, preventing cross-contamination, and keeping foods at safe temperatures.”

It’s not too early to brush up on safe food preparation and storage practices. As you gather with loved ones to celebrate the holidays, keep these practices in mind to help prevent foodborne illness.  

NCL’s Top Food Safety Tips for a Healthy Holiday  

  1. Thaw safely: Never Thaw a turkey on the counter. Defrost in the refrigerator (24 hours per 4–5 pounds) or in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes. 
  2. Cook thoroughly: Use a food thermometer — turkey breast should reach 165°F, thighs 175°F. Don’t rely on color alone.  
  1. Avoid cross-contamination: Keep raw poultry separate from other foods. Wash your hands, utensils, and cutting boards often.  
  1. Handle leftovers with care: Refrigerate within two hours, store in shallow containers, and reheat to 165°F. Discard after 3–4 days.  

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About the National Consumers League (NCL)       

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org. 

The National Consumers League Applauds the Trump Administration For Lowering the Price of GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs

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Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829  

Washington, DC – On behalf of the estimated 100,000 million US adults with obesity, many of whom are seeking treatment with FDA-approved anti-obesity medicines, the National Consumers League (NCL) applauds the Trump Administration for negotiating lower prices for the popular GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) weight loss drugs, Wegovy© (semaglutide) and Zepbound© (tirzepatide), so these medicines are more accessible to those needing quality obesity care.

According to an agreement the White House reached with the manufacturers of Wegovy and Zepbound, as of mid-2026, the Medicare program will purchase injectable semaglutide and tirzepatide – and later the pill forms when approved by the FDA — at $149 per month for the lowest dose and $245 per month for larger doses. This means that Medicare will be able to cover GLP-1 weight loss drugs for the first time, with Medicare beneficiaries responsible for co-pay of just $50 per month. Moreover, state Medicaid programs will benefit from these discounts, thereby allowing more people with obesity to receive quality obesity care in the country.

Also of note, starting in January 2026, Americans not eligible for Medicare or Medicaid will be able to buy Wegovy and Zepbound directly from the government website, Trumprx.gov, for $350 or less per month. This represents a significant discount from the price the manufacturers currently offer to consumers through their direct-to-consumer online pharmacy programs.

Collectively, the actions by the Administration will improve the lives of millions of Americans with obesity, who for too long, have been denied access to medicines that are clinically effective in achieving significant weight loss.

However, NCL joins with other members of the obesity community in calling on Congress to pass the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA) this year. By enacting this legislation, Congress will ensure that Medicare beneficiaries have coverage for GLP-1 drugs. At the same time, TROA will expand access to intensive behavioral therapy (IBT) in more clinical settings, allowing more adult Americans to receive counseling that promotes sustained weight loss through high intensity interventions on diet and exercise.

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About the National Consumers League (NCL)       

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.   

A War on the Hungry: NCL Denounces Federal Inaction on SNAP

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Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL) is deeply alarmed by the federal government’s refusal to use billions in emergency funds to sustain the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This reckless decision constitutes a direct assault on the nation’s most vulnerable—our children, the sick, the poor, the elderly, and the disabled—and risks plunging tens of millions back into hunger and hardship.

“Forcing millions of Americans to go hungry while sitting on billions in available funds is unconscionable,” said NCL CEO Sally Greenberg. “This is a war on the most defenseless members of our society, and history will not look kindly on those who turned their backs. Feeding the hungry is not a partisan issue—it is a moral imperative.”

NCL calls on the administration to immediately deploy the contingency funds intended to prevent hunger and protect the health and dignity of all Americans.

To learn more about the roots of America’s hunger crisis and what’s at stake, read NCL’s latest blog post, A Call Not to Make Americans Hungry Again, by Food and Nutrition Policy Director Nancy Glick.

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About the National Consumers League (NCL)        

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.    

Nancy Glick

A Call Not to Make Americans Hungry Again

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By Nancy Glick, Director of Food and Nutrition Policy

1968 was a pivotal year in U.S. history, and not only for the anti-war protests and the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy. That same year, CBS News aired “Hunger in America,” a Peabody-winning documentary that opened the eyes of Americans to the fact that over 10 million people – nearly 20 percent of the public – were suffering from hunger and malnutrition in a land of plenty. 

Later that year, a group of 25 religious, labor, legal, medical, and other professionals, including the Citizens’ Board of Inquiry into Hunger and Malnutrition, published a scathing report documenting widespread hunger and malnutrition across the country. Called “Hunger U.S.A.,” the report identified 282 “hunger counties,” especially in areas like Appalachia, the Mississippi Delta, and Native American reservations, and described the dire conditions for people experiencing hunger,  made worse by federal programs that discriminated against the poor and favored agricultural companies.  

The report and the documentary shocked the nation, prompting significant public and political pressure that led President Richard Nixon to convene the first-ever White House Conference on Food, Nutrition, and Health in Washington in December 1969. Attended by 5,000 delegates representing various interest groups, the conference produced more than 1,800 recommendations to improve anti-hunger programs. The conference was also the stimulus for Congress to pass landmark legislation – such as the 1974 Food Stamp Act, the 1975 School Breakfast Program and Summer Food Program, and authorization of the Supplemental Feeding Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) – that now make it possible for more low-income families to have a healthy diet.   

Fast-forward 56 years after the White House Conference , and the nation is staring at the possibility of another wave of massive hunger in America. Despite how much has changed over the last five decades, an estimated 47.4 million Americans now experience food insecurity, including over 13 million children. The consequences for malnourished people are wide-ranging. Adults experience more severe illnesses, disability, muscle wasting, and chronic diseases, while children may face stunted growth, developmental delays, learning difficulties, and reduced cognitive function. 

Given this reality, one would think that reducing hunger in America would be a priority for the White House and members of Congress. Yet, passage of the President’s One Bill Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) in July shows this is not the case. OBBBA cut $186 billion in funding for roughly one in eight people in the U.S. who buy groceries with help from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as the food stamp program. When the cuts take effect in 2027, the Urban Institute projects that 22.3 million families will lose some or all of their SNAP benefits. Additionally, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that 3.2 million adults will be cut from the SNAP program in a typical month due to expiring exemptions. This includes 1 million older adults, 800,000 parents, and 1.4 million adults in areas with insufficient jobs.  

But now, nearly 42 million people could lose their SNAP benefits this year – as early as November 1. This reason is an ongoing fight in Congress over how to end a federal government shutdown, where food-insecure Americans are being used as pawns. Senate Republicans insist that Democrats vote to approve a “clean” budget spending bill with no changes. In contrast, Democrats want the bill to include an extension of expiring tax credits that will make health insurance cheaper for millions of Americans and to reverse Medicaid cuts.  

The haggling has been ongoing since October 1, when the government shut down, and efforts to reach a compromise have failed. Thus, the Trump Administration is using continued funding for SNAP benefits as a pressure tactic to raise the ante on Senate Democrats. This took the form of the USDA announcing on its website on October 26 that “the well has run dry,” and there will be no SNAP benefits issued on November 1. 

What the USDA didn’t say is that the department has access to a nearly $6 billion contingency fund that paid for SNAP benefits during past government shutdowns. Many Congressional Democrats and Republicans had encouraged the Trump administration to use this funding to preserve food stamps through November, as the government was expected to remain closed. But the Trump administration declined, even though USDA said weeks ago that it could reprogram money to prevent benefit cuts. 

People receiving SNAP benefits should not be used as a bargaining chip in a game of chicken between Republicans and Democrats. Therefore, Democratic attorneys general and governors from 25 states filed a lawsuit in federal court on October 28, arguing that the federal government had a legal obligation to maintain funding for food stamps, which Congress made permanent in the 1960s.  

Soon, we will know if the federal court sides with state attorneys general and governors and compels USDA to use its contingency fund so nutritionally vulnerable Americans will continue to have enough food. If not, over 40 million children and adults can only hope that cooler heads will prevail, that Democrats and Republicans will come to the negotiating table, that the shutdown will end, and that SNAP benefits will be restored.  

But no one should declare victory. This is a dark moment in our history. 

Nancy Glick

Reversing Progress on Obesity Care

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By Nancy Glick, Director of Food and Nutrition Policy

“One step forward, two steps back” describes situations where progress is hindered by setbacks. This accurately reflects the state of obesity care today. 

On the positive side, the disease that now affects more than 100 million adult Americans is finally getting recognition as a priority health issue. This is due to several important developments demonstrating the value of treating obesity as a serious chronic disease: 

There is widespread scientific consensus that obesity is a high-risk condition

Starting with the American Medical Association’s (AMA) action in 2013 to classify obesity as a serious chronic disease requiring treatment, numerous chronic diseases, obesity and nutrition organizations now agree that obesity is a distinct disease due to its complex biological mechanisms and its worsening effect on over 230 other chronic diseases. Based on this consensus, in 2024, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule to establish treatment of obesity as a medically necessary service under Medicare and Medicaid, paving the way for covering weight loss drug under these programs in the future.

New therapeutic agents are revolutionizing obesity medicine

When the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor) agonist to treat obesity in 2021, Americans learned that these injectable medicines could help people lose between 15 percent and 25 percent of their weight on average after one year. Thus, enthusiasm for GLP-1s has soared to levels rarely seen in medical practice. According to the findings of a 2024 survey of 3,000 adults commissioned by the professional services firm PWC, between 8 percent and 10 percent of US adults are currently taking GLP-1s. 

GLP-1 medicines are cost-effective 

In September, the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) gave its highest cost-effectiveness rating to the widely prescribed weekly injectable GLP-1 weight loss drugs, semaglutide and tirzepatide, citing price reductions and studies showing cardiovascular benefits. Additionally, FDA recently approved the first generic version of an older GLP-1, liraglutide, which is injected daily. 

New research shows that treating obesity lowers overall healthcare costs

Because even a modest weight loss (a drop of 5-10 percent) produces significant health improvements when a person has overweight or obesity, studies are beginning to project the potential savings to the economy from covering obesity medications. One large study of privately insured adults and Medicare beneficiaries published December 5, 2024, in JAMA Network Open estimated an annual savings of $2,430 per person who achieved a 10 percent reduction in excess weight and a $5,444 reduction in health expenditures with a 25 percent weight loss.  

Reflecting these developments, coverage of GLP-1 drugs increased in 2023 and 2024, particularly among large employers. According to the firm Mercer, which conducts an annual National Survey of Employer-Sponsored Health Plans, coverage for GLP-1 drugs in 2024 rose to 44 percent of all large employers (those with 500 or more employees) and up to 64 percent of corporations with 20,000 or more employees.  

Additionally, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) required Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) carriers to cover at least one GLP-1 weight loss drug in 2024, and the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) covered these medicines for chronic weight management. At the same time, several states provided some level of GLP-1 coverage for their employee health plans and 13 state Medicaid programs covered GLP-1 weight loss drugs as of August 2024.  

But, as the saying goes, that was then, and this is now. Due to dramatic cuts in federal and state budgets, the nation is shifting course with the inevitable result of moving backwards in delivering quality obesity care. While not the complete picture, the National Consumers League notes these troubling reversals:

  • In April 2025, the Trump Administration announced that Medicare will not cover anti-obesity medications, stating that the 2024 CMS proposal to cover GLP-1 weight loss drugs “is not appropriate at this time.” 

If obesity were cancer or heart disease, policymakers might think twice about not allowing access to cost-effective medications. Yet, the reality is that obesity is still not viewed as a serious disease. Thus, obesity remains largely undertreated in this country, due in part to payers, federal agencies, and state governments restricting or eliminating coverage for anti-obesity medicines that are changing the standard of care.  

Recognizing that people with obesity deserve the same level of attention and care as those with other chronic diseases, the National Consumers League partnered with the National Council on Aging (NCOA) and leading obesity specialists to develop and issue the first Obesity Bill of Rights for the nation on January 31, 2024. Specifically, the Obesity Bill of Rights defines quality obesity care as the right of all adults and establishes eight essential rights, including the right to coverage for the full range of treatment options, ensuring that Americans with obesity recieve the care specified in medical guidelines. 

To ensure Americans have these rights, NCL and obesity advocates are urging policymakers to adopt a long-term view about the importance of covering anti-obesity medications. Our message is simple: there may be short-term budget savings from restricting or eliminating coverage, but if obesity goes untreated among a large segment of the population, the nation will pay the costs in higher annual expenditures on obesity-related chronic diseases, disability, lost productivity, and premature deaths.  

Complicating matters, not having insurance coverage is what drives many consumers to go online and opt for ‘cheap, easy, and doctor-approved’ compounded GLP-1 products that may cause harm or could be fakes. According to the Food and Drug Administration, these products may contain incorrect dosages, the wrong ingredients, excessive or insufficient amounts of active ingredients, or possibly bacteria, all of which can lead to serious health consequences. Thus, while several medical organizations and state attorneys general have issued alerts to warn consumers, advocates agree that providing coverage for FDA-approved GLP-1 drugs is the best way to put a damper on this exploitative market.  

For all these reasons, NCL urges insurers and federal and state policymakers to consider the significant health and patient safety benefits, as well as the reduced medical expenditures from treating obesity, when weighing decisions about coverage.  

Consumer, Patient Safety, and Public Health Groups Petition the FTC to Stop the Deceptive Online Marketing of Unapproved Weight Loss Drugs

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A National Consumers League Review Finds the Promotion by Several Online Telehealth Platforms Misleads the Public About the Safety of Compounded GLP-1 Products and Violates FTC’s Prohibition Against False and Deceptive Advertising

Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829

Washington, DC, – Now that a Presidential memorandum directs the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure accuracy in direct-to-consumer prescription drug advertising and the September 9 MAHA Report calls on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to apply its existing authorities to DTC telehealth companies, the National Consumers League (NCL) and 12 patient safety, pharmacy, women’s health and minority health organizations have submitted a petition asking the FTC to launch an investigation of the deceptive marketing practices of telehealth platforms promoting weight loss drugs.

Reinforcing the July 17, 2025, letter to the FTC from Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), urging a probe of the questionable online marketing surrounding GLP-1 agonists, the petition provides a roadmap for the FTC to investigate the direct-to-consumer advertising practices of telehealth platforms that promote compounded GLP-1 drugs through tactics that violate the FTC’s prohibition against false and deceptive advertising. These practices include ads that expose consumers to unsubstantiated claims and misleading inferences regarding the comparable safety, efficacy, and ingredients used in compounded GLP-1 products. As described in the petition, there has been a 1200 percent increase in “violative or problematic” GLP-1 related ads since 2022, resulting in an alarming amount of misleading information that causes consumer confusion, leads to risk-taking behaviors, and perpetuates fraud.

“Compounded GLP-1s are not the same as FDA-approved medications – and not knowing the differences puts American consumers at risk,” said Sally Greenberg, CEO of the National Consumers League (NCL). “The FTC must act swiftly to stop deceptive advertising and protect consumers from potentially serious health problems associated with compounded GLP-1 drugs.”

Based on an in-depth analysis NCL conducted in April 2025 of the headings, claims, omissions of fact, and use of visuals and hyperlinks contained in widely disseminated TV and digital ads promoting compounded GLP-1 drugs, these practices fall into three categories that violate the Federal Trade Commission Act: 1) ads that omit  “material risk information,” such as side effects and contraindications, 2) content that contains statements and omissions that would mislead a reasonable consumer regarding FDA approval, and 3) unsubstantiated claims regarding product safety and efficacy. Some examples include:

  • Broadcast and digital ads that completely omit all risk and safety information about compounded GLP-1 products
  • Ads that only include brief, superimposed risk declaimers stating that GLP-1 drugs “may differ in risks, benefits, and side effects”
  • Putting risk disclosure information in small, hard-to-read type and flashing it quickly in TV spots
  • Making implied claims of FDA approval and/or the sameness with the branded drug by juxtaposing images of compounded drugs with easily recognized FDA-approved products, or stating that the compounded version has the “same active ingredient”
  • Using terms like “clinically backed weight loss treatment,” “doctor trusted,” and “trusted by experts” with no substantiation

The following organizations joined with the National Consumers League in submitting the petition: Aimed Alliance, American Medical Women’s Association, Association for Safe Online Pharmacies, Center for Medicine in the Public Interest, Health Equity Coalition on Chronic Disease, HealthyWomen, League of United Latin American Citizens, MANA, A National Latina Organization, National Asian Pacific Center on Aging, National Council on Aging, National Hispanic Council on Aging, and the Partnership for Safe Medicines.

Because deceptive advertising too often deceives consumers into believing that compounded GLP-1s are as safe as branded versions, only cheaper and easier to obtain online, the petition documents the harm in serious health problems related to dosing errors and reactions to harmful ingredients in compounded GLP-1 products. As of September 9, 2025, the FDA has received 1,424 reports of adverse events associated with compounded GLP-1 drugs, including reports of 329 hospitalizations and 23 deaths, while poison control centers have seen a nearly 1,500 percent increase in calls since 2019 due to overdose or side effects.

Additionally, patient safety advocates warn that many compounded GLP-1s use active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) sourced from China, where quality standards vary and APIs may go uninspected. Further, the petition points to new health risks for consumers as compounders and telehealth companies pivot to promoting “personalized” versions of GLP-1s with added vitamins or microdoses of GLP-1s that have never been studied.

“When drug compounders use added substances or altered dosages to evade restrictions on copying FDA-approved medications, they endanger consumers by dispensing products that have not been proven safe or effective for their intended uses,” said Michael C. Barnes, counsel to Aimed Alliance. “By promoting and selling drugs that have not undergone rigorous clinical trials and FDA review, compounders also erode the integrity of the U.S. drug approval and marketing system.”

While deceptive advertising of compounded GLP-1 drugs is a national problem that perpetuates fraud, advocates are especially concerned about the influence of highly deceptive ads on women, the primary users of GLP-1 drugs, including girls 14 years and younger who are increasingly motivated to take microdoses of a GLP-1 drug to control their weight.  However, those at greatest risk of harm are women of color, who the data show tend to be more susceptible to scams offering cheaper, potentially fraudulent or counterfeit alternatives online, through bodegas or illegitimate channels.

Additionally, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) asserts that Latinas are especially vulnerable to deceptive Spanish language ads on television, radio, and social media, as well as through informal networks – community centers, neighborhood bodegas, and Spanish language Facebook groups – where oversight is nonexistent.

“This is a worst-case scenario for the Latina community,” said Ray Romano, LULAC’s Director of Research and Policy. “For many Latinas, especially those with limited English proficiency, these ads may be their only source of information about compounded GLP-1 drugs. Latina patients are also desperate for affordable treatment, which is why this exploitative marketing creates an especially dangerous pipeline for fraud and harm.”

Study Methodology
Months in development, the petition draws on research on telehealth marketing of compounded GLP-1 products, including a content analysis conducted by the NCL of the headings, subheads, claims, omissions, and the placement of visuals in television and digital ads widely disseminated online in the first half of 2025. The petition also incorporates input from stakeholders focused on patient safety, consumer fraud, and populations especially vulnerable to online misinformation.

The full petition can be found here.

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About the National Consumers League

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. The organization’s mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.