Spotlight: Do You Need ID to Buy Protein Bars in the Hudson Valley?

The next time you're looking for extra protein, you might need to bring more than money to make the purchase.

An Ulster County resident was left speechless over the weekend after an interaction at a local grocery store... but was it all just a misunderstanding, or the beginning of a new normal in the Hudson Valley?

Ulster County Resident Allegedly "Carded" for Protein Bar

"I needed to show my ID to purchase [a] cliff bar… has this happened to anyone?", read a recent post in a local community Facebook page. "Reminds me of the time they were carding people to buy whipped cream", reminisced one commenter. "So random. Why?", wondered another. Soon, a theory emerged.

New York State Law Prohibits Sales of Certain Dietary Supplements to Minors

In 2023, New York became the first state to pass a law regarding the sale of "over-the-counter weight loss and muscle building supplements" to consumers under the age of 18. The initiative was part of a broader mission to curb eating disorders in young people:

Over-the-counter diet pills and muscle-building supplements are inadequately regulated by the [FDA] and are often sold without any scientific evidence of their safety or effectiveness... Use of these products also has been linked to increased risk of eating disorders and illicit anabolic steroid use in youth and young adults.

Is New Legislation Responsible for Protein Bar Confusion?

While this answer might make the most sense, the law (which went into effect in April 2024) seems to specifically exclude protein supplements like powders or bars from the ban (below).

"Dietary supplements for weight loss or muscle building"... shall not include protein powders, protein drinks and foods marketed as containing protein unless [it] contains an ingredient other than protein which would, considered alone, constitute a dietary supplement for weight loss or muscle building.

Someone who identified themselves as a former grocery store employee attempted to clear up the confusion. "Unfortunately there are many items such as Celsius drinks and some protein bars — not sure which ingredient [they contain] but they put it in the age restriction category! The register will not allow the cashier to sell it if [date of birth] is not put in", they shared.

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With anecdotal reports of other grocery stores refraining from checking ID for both energy drinks and protein bars, it seems that while most Hudson Valley stores understand the nuances of the law, some may be exercising extra caution. Check out protein that is more clearly appropriate for all ages below.