Waxman and Kessler were concerned that salespeople in health food stores were advising customers to treat high blood pressure, infections, and cancer with vitamins, supplements, minerals, and herbs. “Unsubstantiated claims are becoming more exaggerated,” said Kessler. “We are back at the turn of the century, when snake oil salesmen could hawk their potions with promises that couldn’t be kept. If you walk into a health food store, you have to recognize that we have not approved the safety of these products nor substantiated their claims.”
