No proof of aloe found in the aloe at Wal-Mart, CVS, Target

How to Check a Health Product Claim Yourself

The headline refers to a widely reported 2016 investigation in the United States, in which laboratory testing commissioned by journalists suggested that several store-brand aloe vera gels sold by large retailers contained little or no detectable marker compounds of aloe. The story prompted debate and legal action, and the companies involved disputed aspects of the testing. Whatever the final outcome in each case, the episode is a useful reminder that a label and the contents of a bottle are not always the same thing, and that testing methods themselves can be questioned.

You do not need a laboratory to become a more careful reader of product claims. A few habits go a long way:

• Read the ingredient list, not just the front of the package. Ingredients are usually listed in descending order of quantity, so a product marketed as aloe may list water, thickeners or alcohol first.
• Look for the original source. News stories about tests or studies often simplify findings. Try to find who carried out the research, how many samples were tested and what exactly was measured.
• Separate the plant from the product. Research on aloe vera as a plant does not automatically apply to a particular commercial gel, which may be processed, diluted or preserved.
• Check dates and follow-ups. Investigations are sometimes challenged, corrected or settled later, so a single article rarely tells the whole story.
• Ask a professional. For burns, skin conditions or anything involving your health, a pharmacist or doctor can give advice suited to your situation.

Libraries are well placed to help with this kind of checking. Reference books on herbal medicine, consumer guides and health encyclopaedias explain what a plant is traditionally used for and what the evidence actually shows. Searching our catalog for terms such as "herbal remedies", "consumer protection" or "cosmetics" is a good starting point, and staff can suggest how to evaluate sources you find online.

If you would like to sharpen these skills alongside others, keep an eye on our programs, where information literacy and practical reading topics are part of what a public library can offer its community.