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Risky Claim Checker: Scan Product Copy for FDA and FTC Red Flags
Paste a product description or ad. The checker flags phrases that commonly trigger FDA and FTC scrutiny — disease claims, unsubstantiated proof language, absolute safety claims — and explains why each is risky. It runs entirely in your browser and is not legal advice.
5 flags
Review before publishing
- !Disease claim: “heal”. Healing the body is drug territory. Describe the cosmetic or structure/function effect instead.
- !Substantiation: “clinically proven”. The FTC expects competent, reliable scientific evidence on file — typically human clinical testing of your product — before you say this.
- !Safety claim: an absolute safety claim. Absolute safety can't be substantiated. Even water has a dose. Qualify or remove it.
- !Safety claim: “chemical-free / non-toxic”. Everything is chemicals, and “non-toxic” is an absolute safety claim regulators and class-action firms both watch for.
- !Cosmetic vs drug: an anti-aging structure claim. Cosmetics may claim to improve appearance; claiming to change the skin's structure or function makes it a drug.
This checker matches common risky phrases; it is not legal advice and finding no flags does not make copy compliant — context, images and testimonials all count too. For claim-sensitive categories, have qualified counsel review what you publish.
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The line that matters
The core rule across supplements, cosmetics and general products: claiming to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent a disease makes your product a drug in the regulator's eyes, whatever the label says. Structure/function claims (“supports”, “maintains”) live on the legal side of that line — with substantiation and, for supplements, the DSHEA disclaimer.
What a clean scan doesn't mean
This checker matches common phrases; regulators read context. Images, testimonials, before/after photos and even emoji can make a claim your text avoided. No flags means no obvious phrase-level red flags — for claim-sensitive categories, qualified legal review of the whole page is still the standard.
Full walkthrough: How to audit your product pages for risky claims.
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Frequently asked questions
What claims can't I make about supplements?
Anything that says or implies the product diagnoses, treats, cures or prevents a disease — naming conditions like diabetes, anxiety or arthritis counts even without the word “cure”. Supplements may make structure/function claims (“supports immune function”) backed by evidence and carrying the FDA disclaimer, but the disease line is hard.
Can I say my product is “clinically proven”?
Only if you hold competent and reliable scientific evidence — which the FTC generally reads as quality human testing of your product or an equivalent formulation, on file before you publish. “Clinically proven” without that substantiation is one of the most commonly cited violations in warning letters.
Is “FDA approved” ever okay to say?
Almost never for stores. The FDA approves drugs and certain medical devices — not supplements, cosmetics or foods. Having a registered facility or a listed product is not approval, and claiming it is a violation on its own. When in doubt, don't mention the FDA at all.
Do testimonials and reviews count as claims?
Yes. A customer quote saying a product cured their eczema is a disease claim you published, and the FTC holds you responsible for claims made through endorsements you feature. Curate testimonials with the same rules as your own copy, and disclose any material connection with the endorser.
Does this checker make my copy compliant?
No — it flags common risky phrases so you can fix the obvious problems before anyone else sees them. It can't read context, images or testimonials, and passing it is not a legal opinion. For supplements, cosmetics, CBD and health-adjacent products, have qualified counsel review what you publish.