Nutrafol hair-growth products not ‘clinically proven’ as advertised, class action alleges

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Nutrafol products overview: 

• Who: A Nutrafol consumer sued the company. 
• Why: The plaintiff says the company falsely advertises its hair-growth products.
• Where: The Nutrafol products class action lawsuit was filed in a New York federal court.
• What are my options: Try Nature Made for alternatives to Nutrafol. 

A Nutrafol consumer sued the company in a class action lawsuit, alleging it falsely advertises its hair growth products as clinically proven to reduce shedding.

Plaintiff Natasha Smith filed the class action lawsuit against Nutraceutical Wellness Inc. on May 4 in a New York federal court, alleging violations of state and federal consumer laws. 

The lawsuit refers to the products Nutrafol Women, Nutrafol Women’s Vegan, Nutrafol Women’s Balance, Nutrafol Postpartum and Nutrafol Men.

According to the lawsuit, Nutraceutical Wellness markets its products in a “systematically misleading manner” by misrepresenting that they are legally sold as dietary supplements and claiming that they are clinically proven to improve hair growth and prevent shedding.

“Unbeknownst to consumers, however, Defendant’ Products are not, in fact, ‘clinically proven’ — as evidenced by the deeply flawed studies that Defendant relied on in making those statements,” the Nutrafol products class action alleges.

Marketing targets consumers with thinning hair, lawsuit alleges

Because Nutraceutical Wellness’ sales are driven by consumers seeking products to help restore their hair, it prominently makes these allegedly false representations to induce consumers to purchase them and by representing that they are “clinically proven,” according to the lawsuit.

“To make matters worse, Defendant labels its Products as ‘hair growth’ products which makes them unapproved drugs, and otherwise makes improper disease claims without mandated disclaimers next to its marketing statements in violation of the Food and Drug Administration regulations,” the Nutrafol products class action states. 

As such, the products are considered unapproved and misbranded “new drugs” under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the lawsuit says.

As a result of its deceptive conduct, Nutraceutical Wellness is, and continues to be, unjustly enriched at the expense of its customers, it adds. 

The plaintiff seeks to represent anyone who bought the products nationwide plus a New York subclass. Smith sued for violations of state consumer laws and seeks certification of the class action, damages, fees, costs and a jury trial.

In related supplement news, earlier this year, Qunol Minerals was hit with a class action lawsuit alleging it formulates, manufactures, advertises and sells magnesium dietary supplement capsules that are falsely advertised as being “extra strength.” 

What do you think of the allegations in this Nutrafol products case? Let us know in the comments. 

The plaintiff is represented by Adrian Gucovschi of Gucovschi Rozenshteyn PLLC.

The Nutrafol products class action lawsuit is Natasha Smith, et al. v. Nutraceutical Wellness Inc., Case No. 1:23-cv-03787, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. 

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