California Restricts Teen Sales of Muscle Supplements
Assembly Bill 2030, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, bars retailers from selling covered weight-loss and muscle-building supplements to anyone under 18 starting January 2027.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Body Building
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California enacted Assembly Bill 2030, which prohibits retailers from selling, delivering, or giving away covered muscle-building and weight-loss supplements to minors without a prescription. The restrictions take effect January 1, 2027.
Why it matters
Lawmakers cited health risks from weight-loss and muscle-building products among teenagers, including research indicating some such supplements contain potentially harmful substances not disclosed on labels. Dietary supplements generally do not require FDA approval for safety and effectiveness before reaching store shelves.
Retailers face civil penalties of up to $500 per violation under the law. A 2024 JAMA Network Open study found nearly one in 10 adolescents used nonprescription weight-loss products not medically approved.
The players
Gavin Newsom
Governor of California, who signed Assembly Bill 2030 and had earlier vetoed a 2022 supplement bill, Assembly Bill 1341.
Josh Lowenthal
California Assemblymember who introduced Assembly Bill 2030 in February 2026.
American Herbal Products Association
Trade association representing herbal and dietary supplement companies, which opposes the new restrictions.
The details
Retailers must request identification from customers whose age they cannot determine to be at least 18. State and local authorities can seek court orders to stop violations, and the American Herbal Products Association opposes the restrictions.
Timeline
February 2024: California Department of Public Health workgroup released supplement restriction recommendations.
February 2026: Assembly Bill 2030 was introduced by Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal.
September 28, 2026: Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2030 into law.
January 1, 2027: Supplement sale restrictions take effect.
Legal Context
Assembly Bill 2030 follows Assembly Bill 1341, which Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed in 2022, revisiting the state's effort to restrict supplement sales to minors. The earlier veto and the later signing show the same policy question resurfacing in California's legislative process.
Shoppers under 18 will need a prescription to buy covered muscle-building or weight-loss supplements in California starting in 2027. Retailers, particularly those selling products online and delivering to California customers, may face higher costs to verify buyers' ages.
The takeaway
Parents and teens should note that supplements are generally not FDA-approved for safety before sale, so checking labels and consulting a doctor before use remains advisable.
What happens next
The sales restrictions take effect January 1, 2027, when retailers must begin requesting identification from customers they cannot determine to be at least 18.
Further reading
Explore more coverage in the Body Building section for context on supplement trends.
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