Recent investigative reports by “USA Today” and “Rock Center” have exposed the lack of information about dietary supplement products while they are on store shelves. With no authority to require information about a dietary supplement before it is put on the market, the first FDA often learns about a product is when a consumer becomes sick or worse.
The Durbin-Blumenthal Dietary Supplement Labeling Act would improve the information available to consumers by requiring more information on product labels, give more authority to the FDA to require manufacturers to register their products and ingredients and provide proof of any health benefit claims, and curb the prevalence of drinks and foods that are masquerading as dietary supplements as a means of avoiding reviews and regulation by the FDA.
“Though many dietary supplements available today are safe, we can’t ignore the growing evidence that there are some in the industry that are taking advantage of the system we have in place to make money selling products they know are harmful,” said Durbin. “Regulation of supplements can be improved to protect public health and it starts with making more information available to consumers and the FDA. The bill I am introducing today with Senator Blumenthal builds on the work we have done in the past with common sense steps to make sure supplement risks are printed on the label, products are registered with FDA and manufacturers can back up their big claims.”
Blumenthal said, “Consumers don’t know some dietary supplements are unsafe until they’re in the hospital, and by that time it’s too late. This legislation would make lifesaving information available to the FDA that may stop suspect products from causing injury or even death. The bill also would prevent foods and beverages from masquerading as dietary supplements to avoid FDA review. This commonsense, pro-consumer proposal will no doubt encounter a plethora of industry push back, but history and science are on our side.”
Source:
www.durbin.senate.gov
