Misleading Health Claims? ‘Nature Made’ Faces Lawsuit Over Its Fish Oil Supplements

Millions of Americans take fish oil supplements each day, trusting claims that they can help “support a healthy heart,” but according to a recent class action lawsuit, those promises may be misleading or entirely untrue.

In January 2024, a California consumer, Guity Hamzeh, filed a lawsuit against Pharmavite LLC and Nature Made Nutritional Products, the makers of Nature Made Fish Oil, alleging that the company falsely advertised its supplements as beneficial for heart health, claims that, according to scientific evidence, don’t hold up under scrutiny.

In fact, some studies have shown that these supplements may cause more harm than good at certain dosages, leaving fish oil consumers feeling duped—hook, line, and sinker.

The Lawsuit at a Glance

The case, Hamzeh v. Pharmavite LLC et al. (No. 4:24-cv-00472), was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. It seeks to represent a nationwide class of consumers who purchased Nature Made fish oil products based on the belief that they would help maintain or improve cardiovascular health.

The complaint alleges that Nature Made’s labeling, which includes phrases like “Helps Support a Healthy Heart” and “Heart Healthy,” is false and misleading, given that there is no credible scientific evidence that taking over-the-counter fish oil supplements improves heart health or reduces the risk of heart disease.

What the Science Really Says About Fish Oil Supplements

According to the lawsuit, multiple large-scale, randomized clinical trials have shown that fish oil supplements do not provide measurable cardiovascular benefits. While eating fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids has been associated with better heart outcomes, simply taking fish oil capsules does not appear to have the same effect.

Scientific and medical authorities, including Harvard Medical School and the New England Journal of Medicine, have published findings showing no evidence that fish oil supplements reduce heart attacks, strokes, or deaths from heart disease. Some studies even suggest that over-the-counter fish oil capsules may be ineffective or potentially harmful when taken in excess.

Despite these findings, Nature Made and other supplement makers have continued to market their products as heart-healthy, leading many consumers to believe that they are taking proactive steps toward cardiovascular wellness.

How Consumers Were Misled

Plaintiff Guity Hamzeh, a resident of Moraga, California, says she purchased Nature Made fish oil supplements regularly from a CVS store, believing they would help support her heart health. 

The label’s prominent “supports a healthy heart” claim influenced her purchase decisions.

However, the lawsuit argues that this claim is not backed by science, and that no reasonable consumer would pay for supplements that offer no proven benefit. Because the product allegedly provides no actual support to heart health, the complaint asserts that it is effectively worthless and that consumers like Hamzeh were economically harmed by paying for something they would not have purchased had they known the truth.

Claims Against Nature Made

The lawsuit brings several legal claims against Pharmavite LLC and Nature Made Nutritional Products, including:

• Violation of State Consumer Protection Acts
• Violation of California’s False Advertising Law (Bus. & Prof. Code §§ 17500 et seq.)
• Violation of California’s Consumer Legal Remedies Act (Civ. Code §§ 1750 et seq.)
• Violation of California’s Unfair Competition Law (Bus. & Prof. Code §§ 17200 et seq.)
• Breach of Express Warranty
• Negligent and Intentional Misrepresentation

The plaintiff seeks restitution, damages, and an injunction to stop Nature Made from claiming that its supplements “support heart health” unless that statement can be scientifically substantiated.

What This Means for Consumers

Unlike prescription drugs, dietary supplements are not subject to the same rigorous FDA approval process. This gives manufacturers more freedom in how they market their products, but it also means consumers must rely heavily on truthful labeling.

When supplement makers exaggerate or misrepresent the benefits of their products, consumers end up paying the price, both financially and, in some cases, by neglecting proven treatments or lifestyle changes in favor of ineffective pills.

You Have Rights When Companies Mislead You

Consumers are entitled to truthful advertising. When companies make false or misleading claims about their products, they can be held accountable under consumer protection laws.

If you purchased a supplement or health product based on deceptive marketing, whether it’s a vitamin, herbal remedy, or “heart-healthy” supplement, you may be eligible to join a class action or file an individual lawsuit.

At Morgan & Morgan, we fight For the People who have been misled, deceived, or financially harmed by corporations that put profit over honesty. Our consumer protection attorneys have the resources and experience to take on major companies and win.

Something Fishy About Your Supplements’ Claims? Contact Morgan & Morgan

If you purchased Nature Made Fish Oil or another supplement that didn’t live up to its promises, you may have legal options.

Contact Morgan & Morgan today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation to learn more about your legal options.