Regulation of Dietary Supplements
Amalia K. Corby-Edwards
Analyst in Public Health and Epidemiology
May 6, 2013
Congressional Research Service
7-5700
www.crs.gov
R43062
CRS Report for Congress
Pr
epared for Members and Committees of Congress
Regulation of Dietary Supplements
Summary
Many Americans take dietary supplements with the intention of meeting their nutritional needs, as
well as to improve or maintain their overall health. These consumers want accurate information
on the effectiveness and proper use of dietary supplements and access to the dietary supplements
of their choice. The federal government has an interest in ensuring that the supplements
Americans consume are high quality, free from contaminants, and accurately labeled. Because
dietary supplements are intended to supplement the diet, their processing and manufacture are
regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in a manner similar to food, with
some differences that will be outlined in this report. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), in
coordination with the FDA, regulates dietary supplement advertising.
In contrast with the authority under which drugs and medical devices are regulated, dietary
supplements are regulated as food under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA),
and the FDA does not take regulatory action on food or dietary supplements until something goes
wrong with a product that is on the market. The FDA has the authority to take action regarding
supplements that are labeled incorrectly (misbranded) or contain unsafe ingredients (adulterated).
The FDA is made aware of potential misbranding or adulteration through inspections, adverse
event reports, and citizen petitions.
The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA, P.L. 103-417) authorized
the FDA to promulgate regulations for dietary supplement-specific good manufacturing practices
(GMP), and established requirements for new dietary ingredients (NDI), labeling, and certain
health claims for dietary supplements. Under the Dietary Supplement and Non-Prescription Drug
Consumer Protection Act (P.L. 109-462), Congress added requirements for mandatory reporting
of adverse events, and the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response
Act (P.L. 107-188) required registration of food (including dietary supplement) manufacturers,
processors, and packers with the FDA. The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA, P.L. 111-
353) provided the FDA with mandatory recall authority for adulterated food (including dietary
supplements) and food containing undisclosed allergens.
Consumers, the health care and dietary supplement industries, Congress, and federal regulators all
have a stake in supplement identification, effectiveness, and safety. Current federal policy toward
regulating dietary supplements was intended to balance these competing interests. DSHEA
provided FDA the authority to take action against products that were unsafe or adulterated, but
emphasized that FDA should not take actions that would impose unreasonable regulatory barriers
limiting or slowing the flow of safe products and accurate information to consumers. As the
supplement market has grown and diversified, the regulatory and research questions have become
more complex. This report discusses current areas of regulatory and legislative concern, including
the identification of products as dietary supplements, their role in individuals’ health and health
care, and recent issues regarding supplement safety.
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Contents
Dietary Supplements: An Overview ................................................................................................ 1
FDA’s Authority to Regulate Dietary Supplements ......................................................................... 1
How Does the FFDCA Define “Dietary Supplement”? ............................................................ 3
FDA Dietary Supplement-Specific Regulations and Guidance ................................................. 3
New Dietary Ingredients ..................................................................................................... 4
Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)................................................................................ 5
Labeling ............................................................................................................................... 6
Claims ................................................................................................................................. 7
Serious Adverse Event Reporting ....................................................................................... 9
Compliance and Enforcement ................................................................................................. 10
Inspection and Recall Authority ........................................................................................ 10
Dietary Supplement Marketing ...................................................................................................... 11
Issues for Congress ........................................................................................................................ 12
Identification of Dietary Supplements ..................................................................................... 13
Food and Dietary Supplements: The Case of Energy Drinks ............................................ 13
Drugs and Dietary Supplements: The Case of Pyridoxal 5-Phosphate ............................. 15
The Role of Dietary Supplements in Health and Health Care ................................................. 16
Dietary Supplement Safety ...................................................................................................... 18
Concluding Comments .................................................................................................................. 21
Figures
Figure B-1. Example of a Dietary Supplement Principal Display Panel ....................................... 24
Appendixes
Appendix A. Selected Laws Regulating Dietary Supplements ...................................................... 22
Appendix B. Principal Display Panel, Dietary Supplements ......................................................... 24
Appendix C. Acronyms Used in This Report ................................................................................ 25
Contacts
Author Contact Information........................................................................................................... 26
Acknowledgments ......................................................................................................................... 26
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Dietary Supplements: An Overview
Dietary supplements are marketed for nutritional support and health promotion, as well as for a
number of other uses, including weight loss and sports performance enhancement. These products
come in pill, capsule, and liquid form, as well as in forms that may appear similar to conventional
food or beverages. Dietary supplement use is common in the U.S. population; over one-half of
U.S. adults over age 20 take dietary supplements.1 Surveys show that number has been
increasing.2
Dietary supplement production has increased over time. The number of dietary supplements on
the market rose from 4,000 in 1994 to approximately 55,000 in 2009.3 The industry recorded over
$30 billion in sales in 2011.4 In 2010-2011, top-selling supplements included vitamins, herbs and
botanicals, sports nutrition supplements, and “specialty” supplements which the industry defines
as supplements such as glucosamine, probiotics, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and fish oil
that do not fit into other supplement categories.5
This report outlines FDA’s authority to regulate dietary supplements and summarizes dietary
supplement-specific regulations for new dietary ingredients (NDI), good manufacturing practices
(GMP), labeling, and claims. The report also discusses adverse event reporting for dietary
supplements and other means of ensuring consumer safety through enforcement of these
authorities and regulations. Dietary supplement advertising, which is regulated by the Federal
Trade Commission (FTC) in coordination with the FDA, is also discussed. Finally, the report
concludes with a discussion of policy issues related to the manufacture, regulation, and use of
dietary supplements, including the identification of dietary supplements, the role of dietary
supplements in health and health care, and dietary supplement safety.
FDA’s Authority to Regulate Dietary Supplements
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
(HHS) regulates the processing, manufacture, and packaging of dietary supplements under the
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) of 1938.6 Since passage of the FFDCA, the
federal government has generally regulated dietary supplements as food.7 FDA’s authority
1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dietary Supplement Use Among U.S. Adults Has Increased Since
NHANES III (1988-1994), NCHS Data Brief, April 2011, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21592424.
2 Ibid.
3 Data from the Nutrition Business Journal cited in U.S. Government Accountability Office, Dietary Supplements: FDA
May Have Opportunities to Expand its Use of Reported Health Problems to Oversee Products, GAO-13-244, March
2013, p. 1, http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-13-244.
4 “NBJ’s Supplement Business Report 2012,” Nutrition Business Journal, pp. http://newhope360.com/site-files/
newhope360.com/files/uploads/2012/10/TOC_SUMM120928.supp%20report%20FINAL%20standard.pdf.
5 Nutrition Business Journal consumer sales estimates: http://newhope360.com/.
6 21 U.S.C. §341 et seq.
7 FDA regulates food labeling, bottled water, food additives, infant formulas, and the safety of food products (except
for most meat and poultry products, which are regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture). See
http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/Transparency/Basics/ucm194879.htm. See also CRS Report RS22600, The Federal
Food Safety System: A Primer, by Renée Johnson.
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specifically in regard to dietary supplements has been amended by subsequent legislation; these
authorities and their implementation and enforcement are discussed in this section.8
Under the FFDCA, the FDA regulates the processing, manufacture, and labeling of food products.
The agency has the authority to deem food (and dietary supplements) misbranded (i.e.,
inaccurately labeled or presenting unapproved claims)9 and adulterated (i.e., containing
ingredients that pose a significant or unreasonable risk of illness or injury).10 The law authorizes
the FDA to recall food (and dietary supplements) under specified circumstances.
Nutrition labeling requirements for food, including dietary supplements, were established under
the Nutrition Labeling Education Act of 1990 (NLEA).11 However, the Dietary Supplement Act
of 199212 instituted a one year moratorium on the implementation of dietary supplement labeling
under NLEA. Congress subsequently required the FDA to create dietary supplement-specific
regulations for labeling under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994
(DSHEA).13
DSHEA made changes to FDA’s authority that differentiated certain aspects of dietary
supplement regulation from regulation of conventional foods, in regard to 1) new dietary
ingredients14 (NDI), 2) good manufacturing practices (GMP), 3) labeling, and 4) certain health
claims for dietary supplements. Additionally, DSHEA excluded dietary supplement ingredients
from the definition of a food additive.15 The Public Health Security and Bioterrorism
Preparedness and Response Act16 required registration of food (including dietary supplement)
manufacturers, processors, and packers with the FDA. Subsequent legislation provided FDA with
additional authorities. Under the Dietary Supplement and Non-Prescription Drug Consumer
Protection Act, Congress added requirements for mandatory reporting of adverse events for
dietary supplements.17 Most recently, the Food Safety Modernization Act18 (FSMA) provided the
FDA with mandatory recall authority for adulterated food (including dietary supplements) and for
food that does not provide adequate allergen labeling.
Within the FDA, regulation of both food and dietary supplements falls within the purview of the
Office of Foods, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN).19 Information on
CFSAN oversight of dietary supplements is summarized in the text box below.
8 Appendix A of this report provides a list of selected laws that impact dietary supplement regulation.
9 21 U.S.C. §343.
10 21 U.S.C. §342.
11 P.L. 101-535.
12 P.L. 102-571, Section 202.
13 P.L. 103-417, Section 7.
14 See “New Dietary Ingredients” in this report.
15 21 U.S.C. §348. FDA defines a food additive as “any substance the intended use of which results or may reasonably
be expected to result—directly or indirectly—in its becoming a component or otherwise affecting the characteristics of
any food.” 21 C.F.R. §170.3.
16 P.L. 107-188, Section 305.
17 P.L. 109-462, Section 3.
18 P.L. 111-353, Section 206.
19 Food and Drug Administration, Regulatory Procedures Manual, Silver Spring, MD, 2011, http://www.fda.gov/
ICECI/compliancemanuals/regulatoryproceduresmanual/default.htm#_top.
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Dietary Supplement Oversight in
FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
The Office of Nutrition, Labeling, and Dietary Supplements (ONDLS) has oversight of food and nutrition
labeling, including that of dietary supplements. The Food Labeling and Standards staff of ONDLS reviews food product
labeling for adherence to regulations; the Nutrition Programs staff conducts scientific and regulatory review of health
claims petitions, nutrient content claim petitions, and analyses of nutrition labeling; and the Division of Dietary
Supplement Programs has primary responsibility for other product labeling issues, such as monitoring
structure/function claim notifications, safety assessments for the New Dietary Ingredient (NDI) notification program,
general dietary supplement policy, and responding to petitions and industry-related notifications.
The Office of Regulatory Science, in conjunction with the Office of Applied Research and Safety
Assessment, manages and conducts the safety assessments, compliance, and regulatory programs relevant to dietary
supplement labeling requirements and claims of unsafe, adulterated, or contaminated dietary supplement products.20
How Does the FFDCA Define “Dietary Supplement”?
Prior to DSHEA, there was no statutory definition of dietary supplements. As amended by
DSHEA, the FFDCA defines a dietary supplement as a product (other than tobacco) that is not
represented as a conventional food and
• is intended to supplement the diet;
• contains one or more of the following dietary ingredients: vitamins, minerals,
herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, and other substances or their constituents;
• is intended to be taken by mouth as a pill, capsule, powder, tablet, or liquid; and
• is labeled on the front panel as being a dietary supplement.21
FDA Dietary Supplement-Specific Regulations and Guidance
As noted, dietary supplements are generally regulated as food under the FFDCA.22As such, they
are subject to fewer premarket regulations than other items within the FDA’s regulatory purview,
such as drugs and medical devices.23 Similar to food manufacturers, dietary supplement
manufacturers must register with the FDA, follow current good manufacturing practices (GMP),
and must abide by nutrition labeling and claims regulations.24 However, by law, some of these
regulations are dietary supplement-specific. Unlike food manufacturers, dietary supplement
manufacturers are required to report serious adverse events to the FDA.
In contrast to drugs, dietary supplements and their ingredients are generally presumed safe; also
unlike with drugs, the FDA does not have the authority to require safety and efficacy testing for
dietary supplements before they enter the market. Although processors, manufacturers, and
packers of dietary supplements are expected to adhere to FDA regulations when bringing a new
20 Ibid. at 1-6-5.
21 21 U.S.C. §321(ff).
22 21 U.S.C. §401 et seq.
23 For more information on drug and device regulation at the FDA, see CRS Report R42130, FDA Regulation of
Medical Devices, by Judith A. Johnson and CRS Report R41983, How FDA Approves Drugs and Regulates Their
Safety and Effectiveness, by Susan Thaul.
24 21 C.F.R. §111.
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product to market, there is no pre-market approval process for dietary supplements. However,
prior to entering the market, the FDA must be notified of dietary supplements containing New
Dietary Ingredients (NDI), and of dietary supplements containing certain claims. After a
supplement is on the market, FDA has the authority to deem dietary supplements misbranded or
adulterated if they are inaccurately labeled, contain unapproved NDI, or contain harmful
ingredients, and may issue warnings or order a mandatory recall in certain circumstances.25
However, the burden is on the government to prove such claims.
The following sections provide details on FDA’s dietary supplement-specific authorities,
regulations, and guidance on NDI, GMP, labeling (including packaging, inserts, and information
at the point of sale), claims, and serious adverse event reporting.
New Dietary Ingredients
A NDI is defined as a dietary ingredient that was not marketed in the United States in a dietary
supplement before October 15, 1994.26 Supplement ingredients sold in the United States before
October 15, 1994 are presumed safe based on their history of use by humans and do not need to
be reviewed for safety by the FDA. For these grandfathered dietary supplement ingredients,
manufacturers are required to maintain records that document their use prior to October 15, 1994.
As long as documentation of grandfathered status exists, a product may be marketed without any
evidence of efficacy or safety of its ingredients. The manufacturer of a NDI marketed after that
date must give 75 days’ premarket notification to the FDA, and must provide a history of use or
other evidence of safety when used under recommended conditions.27
Prior to enactment of DSHEA in 1994, manufacturers were not required by law to notify the FDA
of dietary supplement ingredients. Congress created a requirement for manufacturers to notify the
FDA of NDI in DSHEA.28 There is, however, no list of dietary supplement ingredients that were
on the market prior to that date. FSMA, enacted in December 2010, contained a provision
requiring the FDA to clarify the definition of a NDI and to explain the requirements for safety
evaluation of a NDI within 180 days of enactment.29 The FDA published draft NDI guidance on
July 5, 2011.30 The draft guidance generated controversy, with some manufacturers expressing
concerns that the proposed guidance was burdensome and not in keeping with DSHEA.31 In
response to those concerns, the FDA agreed in June 2012 to revise the guidance. FDA has not
proposed a timeline for the revised guidance.32
25 P.L. 111-353, Section 206.
26 21 U.S.C. §350b.
27 Food and Drug Administration, “Draft Guidance for Industry, Dietary Supplements: New Dietary Ingredient
Notifications and Related Issues,” 79 Federal Register 39111, July 5, 2011.
28 P.L. 103-417, Section 8.
29 P.L. 111-353, Section 113.
30 Food and Drug Administration, “Draft Guidance for Industry, Dietary Supplements: New Dietary Ingredient
Notifications and Related Issues,” 79 Federal Register 39111, July 5, 2011.
31 Natural Products Association, “New Dietary Ingredients Draft Guidance,” http://www.npainfo.org/NPA/Advocacy/
NDI%20Draft%20Guidance.aspx.
32 Natural Products Insider, “FDA Reportedly to Revisit NDI Draft Guidance,” press release, June 19, 2012,
http://www.naturalproductsinsider.com/news/2012/06/fda-reportedly-to-revisit-ndi-draft-guidance.aspx.
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For each NDI, manufacturers are required to submit notifications to the FDA, and the ingredient
must either (1) have been present in the food supply as an article used for food in a form in which
the food has not been chemically altered, or (2) provide evidence supporting a “reasonable
expectation of safety” under the recommended conditions of use. According to FDA’s draft
guidance, for ingredients that are not grandfathered (or if a manufacturer is unable to produce the
relevant documentation to confer grandfathered status) the manufacturer would have to re-
characterize the ingredient as a NDI and follow the relevant regulatory process.33
Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
Dietary supplement processors, manufacturers, and packers are responsible for ensuring that a
dietary supplement or dietary supplement ingredient is safe by following GMP.34 GMP establish
the minimum standards for activities related to manufacturing, packaging, labeling, or holding
dietary supplements for the purposes of ensuring the product’s quality throughout the
manufacturing process to minimize the risks of a potentially unsafe or otherwise illegal product
from reaching the marketplace.
DSHEA gave FDA the authority to establish GMP specific to dietary supplements modeled after
the existing GMP for food.35 Dietary supplement-specific GMP were requested by industry, citing
concerns that GMP developed for conventional food products did not adequately address the
unique characteristics of dietary supplements. These regulations were finalized in 2007,36 and
largely addressed the concerns raised by the industry. Dietary supplement GMPs contain sections
that detail additional quality control procedures and recordkeeping requirements for each step in
the manufacturing process.37 Following GMP should ensure that final products do not include the
wrong ingredients; too much or too little of a dietary ingredient;38 contaminants such as natural
toxins, bacteria, pesticides, glass, lead or other heavy metals; or improper packaging or labeling.
FDA noted in the final rule that “the focus of GMP is on process controls to ensure that the
desired outcome is consistently achieved, and not on the inherent safety of the ingredients
used.”39
GMP for dietary supplements apply to all domestic and foreign companies that manufacture,
package, label, or hold a dietary supplement for import and sale in any state or territory of the
United States, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico.40 This includes those involved with
33 Food and Drug Administration, “Draft Guidance for Industry, Dietary Supplements: New Dietary Ingredient
Notifications and Related Issues,” 79 Federal Register 39111, July 5, 2011.
34 21 U.S.C. §342(g).
35 21 U.S.C. §342(g).
36 Food and Drug Administration, “Current Good Manufacturing Practice in Manufacturing, Packaging, Labeling, or
Holding Operations for Dietary Supplements; Final Rule,” 72 Federal Register 34752-34958, June 25, 2007.
37 Food and Drug Administration, “Dietary Supplement Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMPs) and Interim
Final Rule (IFR) Facts,” press release, June 22, 2007, http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/CGMP/
ucm110858.htm.
38 Some researchers note that, for most botanicals, consensus has not been reached on analytical markers or
standardized analytical methods for determining the presence or quantity of the botanical. For example, see J Kemsley,
“Botanical Scrutiny,” Chemical and Engineering News, March 18, 2013, pp. 12-17.
39 Food and Drug Administration, “Dietary Supplement Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMPs) and Interim
Final Rule (IFR) Facts,” press release, June 22, 2007, http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/CGMP/
ucm110858.htm.
40 21 C.F.R. §111.1
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testing, quality control, packaging and labeling, and distribution of dietary supplements, but
excludes retail establishments that are solely involved in the direct sale of dietary supplements to
individual consumers.
Labeling
Although dietary supplements are generally considered food for purposes of FDA regulation, they
have different labeling requirements set forth under the FFDCA. Dietary supplement labeling
includes packaging, inserts, and information at the point of sale. The 1938 FFDCA required that
foods contain labels with certain nutritional information, but it was not until the 1990s that food
labeling regulations were authorized and promulgated. The Nutrition Labeling and Education Act
(NLEA) of 1990 amended the FFDCA to require that all foods, with certain exceptions, bear
nutritional content labels.41 The Dietary Supplement Act of 1992 created a one year moratorium
on the implementation of NLEA with respect to dietary supplement labeling.42 DSHEA provided
FDA the authority to promulgate labeling regulations specific to dietary supplements.43 While
similar to the requirements for nutrition labeling of food, dietary supplement labeling
requirements now differ in several specific aspects.44
Under the FFDCA, the FDA may deem a dietary supplement misbranded if it does not follow the
relevant labeling regulations.45 Dietary supplements are required to have a supplement facts panel
(as opposed to a nutrition facts panel for conventional foods).46 Dietary supplement labels may
display certain claims, discussed in detail below, but they must also display a standard disclaimer,
and must not link the supplement or its ingredients to the treatment of a specific medical
condition. The FDA’s Dietary Supplement Labeling Guide sets forth the general display (principal
display panel, or PDP) and placement requirements of dietary supplement labeling.47 An example
of a dietary supplement PDP is shown in Figure B-1. Dietary supplement labels are required to
have the following information:
• a statement of identity (name of the dietary supplement);48
• the net quantity of contents statement (amount of the dietary supplement);49
• a Supplement Facts Panel;50
41 P.L. 101-535, Section 2.
42 P.L. 102-571, Section 202.
43 P.L. 103-417, Section 7.
44 For specific information on these differences, see Food and Drug Administration, Guidance for Industry: A Dietary
Supplement Labeling Guide, April 2005, http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/
GuidanceDocuments/DietarySupplements/DietarySupplementlabelingguide/default.htm.
45 21 U.S.C. §343.
46 P.L. 103-417, Section 7. Regulations regarding the layout and content of the supplement facts panel are at 21 C.F.R.
§101.36.
47 Food and Drug Administration, Guidance for Industry: A Dietary Supplement Labeling Guide, April 2005,
http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/GuidanceDocuments/DietarySupplements/
DietarySupplementlabelingguide/default.htm.
48 21 C.F.R. §101.3(a).
49 21 C.F.R. §101.105(a).
50 21 C.F.R. §101.36.
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• an ingredients list, and the quantity of such ingredients in the product; with the
exception of quantities for the ingredients included in “proprietary blends,”
which do not need to be listed;51 and
• the name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor.52
Claims
In addition to the required labeling, the FFDCA permits (but does not require) manufacturers to
make certain types of claims about supplements’ benefits.53 Dietary supplement manufacturers
may not legally claim that their product will diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent a specific
disease, and certain claims require FDA-approved disclaimers.54 FDA guidance provides details
on the disclaimers that must accompany certain claims on the product label.55 Similar to food
manufacturers, dietary supplement manufacturers may make nutrient content claims and health
claims.56 They may also make structure/function claims.57 These claims are explained below.
Nutrient Content Claims
A nutrient content claim is one that expressly or implicitly characterizes the level of a nutrient in
a dietary supplement.58 An expressed nutrient content claim (for example, “contains 100
calories”) is one that contains a direct statement about the level or range of a nutrient within the
dietary supplement.59 An implied nutrient content claim is one that either (1) describes the
nutrient in a manner that suggests that it is absent or present in a certain amount (for example,
“high in oat bran”) or (2) suggests that the dietary supplement, because of its nutrient content,
may be useful in maintaining healthy dietary practices and is made in association with an express
claim or statement about a nutrient.60
Health Claims
Health claims describe a relationship between a food, food component, or dietary supplement
ingredient, and reducing risk of a disease or health-related condition61 (for example, “While many
factors affect heart disease, diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of this
disease.”) These claims can be made through written statements, symbols, or vignettes.
51 21 C.F.R. §101.4(a)(1).
52 21 C.F.R. §101.105.
53 21 U.S.C. §343(r).
54 P.L. 103-417, Section 5.
55 Food and Drug Administration, Guidance for Industry: A Dietary Supplement Labeling Guide, April 2005,
http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocumentsRegulatoryInformation/DietarySupplements/
ucm070613.htm#6-43.
56 21 U.S.C. §343(r).
57 While structure/function claims are only authorized for dietary supplements (21 USC §343(r)(6) and 21 CFR
§101.93(f)), they are also widely used for food, and their use is not prohibited in statute, regulations, or guidance.
58 21 C.F.R. §101.13(b).
59 21 C.F.R. §101.13(b)(1).
60 21 C.F.R. §101.13(b)(1) and (2); and 21 C.F.R. §101.65.
61 21 C.F.R. §101.14.
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For the FDA to authorize use of a health claim on dietary supplement labeling, it must meet
certain criteria.62 Generally, they must meet a significant scientific agreement (SSA) standard as
determined by the FDA, in order to be authorized in regulation by the FDA.63 The FDA
authorizes health claims only when the agency “determines, based on the totality of publicly
available scientific evidence (including evidence from well-designed studies conducted in a
manner which is consistent with generally recognized scientific procedures and principles), that
there is significant scientific agreement, among experts qualified by scientific training and
experience to evaluate such claims, that the claim is supported by such evidence.”64
Health claims may also be authorized based on authoritative statements from federal scientific
bodies. The latter type of claim was authorized in the FDA Modernization Act (FDAMA).65 To
date, the FDA has authorized sixteen health claims; twelve are explicitly authorized in regulations
and four are authorized based upon authoritative statements from federal scientific bodies (for
example, a statement by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute).66
Another type of health claim, known as a qualified health claim, may also be used for dietary
supplements. Qualified health claims are based on less scientific evidence than the SSA required
for other health claims, but must be approved by the FDA (however, they are not required to be
authorized in statute or an authorizing regulation).67 FDA guidance provides standardized
qualifying language to use with qualified health claims.68
Structure/Function Claims
In addition to health and nutrient content claims, dietary supplement manufacturers are allowed to
make statements describing the role of their nutrients’ or dietary ingredients’ intended effect on
the structure or function of the body.69 Structure/function claims describe how a product may
affect the organs or systems of the body, but cannot mention any specific disease70 (for example,
“calcium builds strong bones”). A structure/function claim describes the role of a dietary
62 21 C.F.R. §101.14(b)(1)-(3).
63 21 U.S.C. §343(r).
64 21 U.S.C. §343(r)(3)(B)(i); 21 C.F.R. 101.14(c). This standard is referred to as the significant scientific agreement
(SSA) standard. For more information on the SSA review process, see U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Guidance
for Industry: Evidence-Based Review System for the Scientific Evaluation of Health Claims, Silver Spring, MD,
January 2009, http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/GuidanceDocuments/
FoodLabelingNutrition/ucm073332.htm.
65 P.L. 105-115, Section 303.
66 Food and Drug Administration, Guidance for Industry: A Food Labeling Guide, Appendix C: Health Claims, Silver
Spring, MD, October 2009, http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/
GuidanceDocumentsRegulatoryInformation/LabelingNutrition/ucm2006828.htm.
67 Food and Drug Administration, Guidance for Industry: A Food Labeling Guide, October 2009, p. Appendix D,
http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocumentsRegulatoryInformation/LabelingNutrition/
ucm064923.htm.
68 Food and Drug Administration, Guidance for Industry: Interim Procedures for Qualified Health Claims in the
Labeling of Conventional Human Food and Human Dietary Supplements, July 2003, http://www.fda.gov/Food/
GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocumentsRegulatoryInformation/LabelingNutrition/ucm053832.htm.
69 21 U.S.C. §343(r)(6).
70 21 C.F.R. 101.93(f).
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supplement in the structure and functions of the body, and must provide truthful and non-
misleading claims that describe this role.71
Although FDA preapproval is not required for structure/function claims, manufacturers must have
substantiation (evidence) for these claims, notify FDA within 30 days of a product being
marketed with a structure/function claim on its label, and provide a two-part disclaimer on the
supplement label.72 First, the label must state that the statement or claim has not been evaluated
by the FDA. It must also state that the dietary supplement product is not intended to “diagnose,
treat, cure, or prevent any disease.”73
Serious Adverse Event Reporting
As noted previously, dietary supplements are not required to undergo premarket review for safety.
In order to identify safety issues, the FDA mainly relies on information provided by
manufacturers under the adverse event reporting system. The FDA created a voluntary adverse
event reporting system for supplements in 1993.74 This system was designed to (1) detect adverse
events; (2) generate and assess signals of potential public health concerns; (3) take appropriate
actions based on these assessments. However, according to HHS’ Office of the Inspector General
(OIG), that system provided inadequate data on adverse events, due to its voluntary nature and
limited scope.75 In 2001, an OIG report concluded that the reporting system detected relatively
few adverse events, lacked adequate information to assess possible health concerns, and
contained limited medical, product, and consumer information.76
The Dietary Supplement and Non-Prescription Drug Consumer Protection Act,77 enacted in 2006,
required several changes to the adverse event reporting system for dietary supplements.78 It
amended the FFDCA to require supplement manufacturers, packers, and distributors to submit
reports of serious adverse events involving their products that occur in the United States, and it
also required the FDA to create and maintain a system to track adverse events related to dietary
supplements.79 The public may also submit adverse event reports to this adverse event reporting
system. However, public submission of adverse event reporting is voluntary.
71 Food and Drug Administration, Guidance for Industry: A Dietary Supplement Labeling Guide, April 2005,
http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocumentsRegulatoryInformation/DietarySupplements/
ucm070613.htm#6-43.
72 21 U.S.C. §343(r)(6).
73 21 U.S.C. §343(r)(6); 21 CFR §101.93(f)-(g).
74 Office of the Inspector General, Department of Health and Human Services, Adverse Event Reporting for Dietary
Supplements: An Inadequate Safety Valve, April 2001, https://oig.hhs.gov/oei/reports/oei-01-00-00180.pdf.
75 Ibid.
76 Ibid.
77 P.L. 109-462, Section 3.
78 Pursuant to P.L. 109-462 (21 U.S.C. §379aa-1) an adverse event is defined as “any health-related event associated
with the use of a dietary supplement that is adverse;” and a serious adverse event is defined as “an adverse event that—
(A) results in—(i) death; (ii) a life-threatening experience; (iii) inpatient hospitalization; (iv) a persistent or significant
disability or incapacity; or (b) requires, based on reasonable medical judgment, a medical or surgical intervention to
prevent an outcome described under subparagraph (A).”
79 P.L. 109-462, Section 3. Information on how to submit an adverse event report can be found at http://www.fda.gov/
food/dietarysupplements/alerts/ucm111110.htm.
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A 2013 GAO report identified 6,307 reports of adverse events from 2008 through 2011, 71% of
which came as serious adverse events from industry, as mandated by the Dietary Supplement and
Non-Prescription Drug Consumer Protection Act.80 FDA has estimated that, due to significant
underreporting, the annual number of adverse events linked to dietary supplements may be
50,000.81 This may be because consumers may not consistently report adverse events to the FDA,
and/or they may be contacting poison control centers which generally do not send information
about adverse events to the FDA.
Adverse events that are linked to a dietary supplement or a dietary supplement ingredient by an
adverse event report are usually not considered sufficient to warrant action against a product.82
However, a pattern of seemingly related events linked to a dietary supplement may cause FDA to
investigate the product or take further action.83
Compliance and Enforcement
Consistent with FDA regulation of conventional foods, the FDA is not authorized to require
premarket approval or review of safety and efficacy of dietary supplement products, with the
exception of NDI. This contrasts with drug regulation where the manufacturer must prove the
safety and efficacy prior to marketing a product.84 Because the bulk of FDA’s regulatory authority
with regards to dietary supplements exists for products that are already on the market, this is
generally where FDA concentrates its enforcement activities to determine compliance with its
regulations.
Inspection and Recall Authority
FDA has the authority to take enforcement action against misbranded (i.e., inaccurately labeled or
presenting unapproved claims)85 and adulterated (i.e., containing ingredients that pose a
significant or unreasonable risk of illness or injury)86 dietary supplements in the form of warning
letters, product seizures and mandatory recalls. It may also ban an ingredient through the rule-
making process.
Under the FFDCA, a dietary supplement is considered adulterated under specified circumstances
related to the product’s contents and manufacturing processes:87
80 U.S. Government Accountability Office, Dietary Supplements: FDA May Have Opportunities to Expand its Use of
Reported Health Problems to Oversee Products, GAO-13-244, March 2013, p. 1, http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-
13-244.
81 U.S. Government Accountability Office, FDA Should Take Further Actions to Improve Oversight and Consumer
Understanding, 09-250, January 2009, http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-09-250.
82 U.S. Government Accountability Office, Dietary Supplements: FDA May Have Opportunities to Expand its Use of
Reported Health Problems to Oversee Products, GAO-13-244, March 2013, p. 1, http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-
13-244, p. 32.
83 Ibid.
84 For more information on drug approval and regulation, see CRS Report R41983, How FDA Approves Drugs and
Regulates Their Safety and Effectiveness, by Susan Thaul.
85 21 U.S.C. §343.
86 21 U.S.C. §342.
87 21 U.S.C. §342(f).
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• if the dietary supplement or dietary ingredient presents a significant or
unreasonable risk of illness or injury either (1) under conditions of use
recommended or suggested in the product’s labeling; or (2) under normal
conditions of use, if none are set forth in the product’s labeling;
• if the dietary supplement contains a NDI for which there is inadequate
information as to whether or not it presents a significant or unreasonable risk of
illness or injury;
• if the Secretary declares the dietary supplement or a dietary ingredient therein to
pose an imminent hazard to public health or safety; or
• if the dietary supplement contains a dietary ingredient that renders it adulterated
because it is a poisonous or deleterious substance rendering the product injurious
to one’s health.
A dietary supplement is considered misbranded if it is inaccurately labeled or presents
unapproved claims. Under current law, the burden of proof of misbranding or adulteration is on
the agency.88
In addition to the serious adverse event reporting system, several other mechanisms exist to
identify potential safety concerns. These include conducting inspections and screening imports.
FDA’s capacity to carry out each of these tasks is determined by agency funding priorities.89 For
example, during a routine inspection of a dietary supplement manufacturer, FDA may discover
unapproved drug claims90 and determine that the products are misbranded. FDA may issue a
warning letter at that time.91 However, a follow-up inspection may reveal the company continuing
to make certain claims. FDA may then recall or file a complaint for seizure of the products.92
Dietary Supplement Marketing
Although the FDA has broad regulatory authority over dietary supplements, the agency shares
some responsibility with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).93 While the FDA regulates claims
made on product labeling (including packaging, inserts, and information at the point of sale), the
FTC has primary responsibility to regulate dietary supplement advertising.94 This includes print
88 21 U.S.C. §343-2(c).
89 The 2014 FDA Congressional Budget Justification can be found at http://www.fda.gov/downloads/AboutFDA/
ReportsManualsForms/Reports/BudgetReports/UCM347422.pdf. Information related to the Office of Regulatory
Affairs Field Activities (including inspections) starts on page 267.
90 Dietary supplement manufacturers may not legally claim that their product will diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat, or
prevent a specific disease.
91 FDA warning letters are posted publicly at http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/EnforcementActions/WarningLetters/
default.htm.
92 FDA’s recently posted recalls can be found at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/default.htm.
93 Working Agreement Between FTC and Food and Drug Administration, 4 Trade Reg. Rep. (CCH) at 9850 (as
enacted, June 9, 1954), http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/DOCKETS/06p0394/06p-0394-cp00001-10-Tab-08-Trade-
Reg-Rpts-vol1.pdf; Updated FTC-FDA Liaison Agreement-Advertising of Over-the Counter Drugs, 4 Trade Reg. Rep.
(CCH) at 9851 (as enacted, May 14, 1971), http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/DOCKETS/06p0394/06p-0394-
cp00001-10-Tab-08-Trade-Reg-Rpts-vol1.pdf.
94 15 U.S.C. §45(a)(1).
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and broadcast advertisements, infomercials, catalogs, internet marketing, and similar direct
marketing materials. The FDA and FTC have the responsibility to ensure that both dietary
supplement labeling and advertising is truthful, not misleading, and that any claims made may be
substantiated.95
The FTC’s authority derives from Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Act that
prohibits “unfair methods of competition in or affecting commerce, and unfair or deceptive acts
or practices in or affecting commerce.”96 Additionally, the FTC Act prohibits dissemination of
false advertisements by any means for the purpose of inducing the purchase of food, drugs,
devices, services, or cosmetics.97 The FTC Act defines false advertisements as “any
advertisement, other than labeling, which is misleading in any material respect.”98
Similar to the FDA, the FTC requires that supplement manufacturers’ claims are adequately
substantiated. The FTC has created a guide for industry which outlines its expectations, role, and
enforcement efforts regarding substantiation.99 The FTC standard is summed up as the following:
1. Advertising must be truthful and not misleading.
2. Before disseminating an advertisement, advertisers must have adequate
substantiation for all objective product claims.
The FTC defines a deceptive advertisement as one that “contains a misrepresentation or an
omission that is likely to mislead consumers acting reasonably under the circumstances to their
detriment.”100 The FTC’s standard of substantiation for express and implied claims is one of
“competent and reliable scientific evidence,”101 which differs from FDA’s requirements for
health, nutrient content, and structure/function claims. The FTC generally enforces these
standards through targeted law enforcement action.102 Over the past 10 years, the FTC has filed
over 100 law enforcement actions challenging claims about the efficacy or safety of a wide
variety of supplements.103
Issues for Congress
Consumers, the health care and dietary supplement industries, Congress, and federal regulators all
have a stake in supplement identification, effectiveness, and safety. Current federal policy toward
regulating dietary supplements was intended to balance these competing interests. DSHEA
95 “Business Guide for Dietary Supplement Industry Released by FTC Staff: Guide Will Assist Industry in Ensuring
Truthful Ads,” Federal Trade Commission, November 18, 1998, http://www.ftc.gov/opa/1998/11/dietary.shtm.
96 15 U.S.C. §45(a)(1).
97 15 U.S.C. §52.
98 15 U.S.C. §55(a).
99 Federal Trade Commission, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Dietary Supplements: An Advertising Guide for
Industry, April 2001, http://business.ftc.gov/documents/bus09-dietary-supplements-advertising-guide-industry.
100 Ibid.
101 Ibid.
102 Federal Trade Commission, Deceptive Marketing of Dietary Supplements FTC Enforcement Activities, Prepared
Statement Before the Senate Special Committee on Aging, Washington, DC, May 26, 2010, http://www.ftc.gov/os/
testimony/100526dietarysupplementstatement.pdf.
103 Ibid.
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provided FDA the authority to step in against products that were unsafe or adulterated, but “not to
take any actions to impose unreasonable regulatory barriers limiting or slowing the flow of safe
products and accurate information to consumers.”104
Under current law, dietary supplements are generally regulated as food—meaning that the FDA
does not take regulatory action until something goes wrong (as opposed to drug regulation, where
proof of safety and efficacy are required prior to putting a product on the market). Whether this is
an appropriate level of regulation has been a long-standing concern. Advocates for industry are
concerned that increased regulation would stifle the dietary supplement industry.105 Public health
advocates have ongoing concerns about the safety of the current approach, and have encouraged a
regulatory scheme that is more similar to drug regulation.106
As the dietary supplement market has grown, regulatory and research questions have become
more complex. These questions continue to reflect the fundamental balance between personal
choice and safety. The following sections discuss current areas of regulatory and legislative
concern, including the identification of products as dietary supplements; their role in individuals’
health and health care; and recent issues regarding supplement safety.
Identification of Dietary Supplements
Although food, drugs, and dietary supplements are all defined in statute, the marketing of certain
products raises questions about the regulatory schemes that should be applied. Both consumer and
industry groups have asked the FDA for clarity on the factors that the agency considers when
deciding whether a product is properly marketed as a dietary supplement, conventional food, or as
a drug. Energy drinks, discussed below, are one example of this issue. As more products with
added dietary ingredients are marketed, there may be a growing need for clarification of the
boundary between conventional foods and dietary supplements, as well as further clarification
between dietary supplement ingredients and drugs.
Food and Dietary Supplements: The Case of Energy Drinks
The term “energy drink” is not defined in statute or regulation. The FDA interprets the term as “a
class of products in liquid form that typically contains caffeine, with or without other added
ingredients.”107 Some energy drinks are marketed as beverages while others are marketed as
dietary supplements. While both beverages and dietary supplements fall under FDA’s authority to
regulate food products, beverages (conventional foods) and dietary supplements follow certain
regulations that are different, as discussed throughout this report. Specifically, labeling, GMP, and
adverse event reporting differ for dietary supplements. Additionally, conventional foods with
104 P.L. 103-417, Section 2.
105 Senator Orrin Hatch, “Hatch Leads Efforts to Prevent Overregulation of Dietary Supplements,” press release, May
24, 2012, http://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ID=0b6d2f98-e486-46f7-af51-a283406efcc9.
106 Senator Dick Durbin, “Durbin: FDA Should be Better Equipped to Respond to Dietary Supplement Safety
Concerns,” press release, May 23, 2012, http://www.durbin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=22a9fee5-
cce5-4307-970f-470272efb77b.
107 Letter from Jeanne Ireland, Assistant Commissioner for Legislation, Food and Drug Administration, to The
Honorable Richard J. Durbin, Senator, August 10, 2012, http://durbin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/files/serve?File_id=
17eadaa1-85e7-4ceb-a827-be244fbddfa5.
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added ingredients are required to follow FDA regulations on food additives108 and substances that
are generally recognized as safe (GRAS)109 while dietary supplements are not (although some
ingredients are regulated as NDI).
Generally, energy drink manufacturers can choose to market a product as either a conventional
food or dietary supplement, depending on its intended use. However, if it appears to be a
conventional food marketed as a dietary supplement, the FDA can challenge this decision.
Because the decision is made by the manufacturer, there are concerns that some energy drinks are
being marketed as dietary supplements in order to circumvent the required standards for food
additives and GRAS substances (such as caffeine) in conventional foods.110 Conversely, there
may also be benefits to marketing an energy drink as a conventional food. For example, a popular
energy drink manufacturer recently changed labeling on its product to market it as a beverage.111
When marketing it as a beverage, the manufacturer is not required to report serious adverse
events associated with its product. Additionally, as a beverage the energy drink is able to be
purchased with food stamps.112
In a 2010 report, GAO recommended the FDA issue guidance to clarify when products should be
marketed as dietary supplements or as conventional foods.113 FDA agreed with this
recommendation; to date, it has issued draft guidance on distinguishing liquid dietary
supplements from beverages.114 Industry representatives have raised several concerns about the
draft guidance and have requested clarification from the FDA.115
Adverse event reports recently released by the FDA have potentially associated energy drinks
with a number of illnesses, including heart attacks and convulsions, as well as with several
deaths.116 These reports do not investigate causality or prove any direct link between energy
drinks and these illnesses, and manufacturers deny any link between their products and these
events. Additionally, the reports may not include adverse event reports to energy drink
manufacturers who market their energy drinks as beverages, because adverse event reporting is
108 21 U.S.C. §348. FDA defines a food additive as “any substance the intended use of which results or may reasonably
be expected to result—directly or indirectly—in its becoming a component or otherwise affecting the characteristics of
any food.” 21 C.F.R. 170.3.
109 Some food additives are generally recognized as safe based under the conditions of intended use (see 21 C.F.R.
§170.3). Eligibility for classification as GRAS is determined in accordance with 21 C.F.R. §170.30.
110 B Meier, “Officials Seek Energy Drink Information,” The New York Times, January 17, 2013, online edition.
111 B Meier, “In a New Aisle, Energy Drinks Sidestep Some Rules,” The New York Times, March 19, 2013, online
edition.
112 U.S. Department of Agriculture, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, “Eligible Food Items,” press release,
http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/retailers/eligible.htm.
113 U.S. Government Accountability Office, FDA Should Take Further Actions to Improve Oversight and Consumer
Understanding, 09-250, January 2009, http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-09-250.
114 Food and Drug Administration, Guidance for Industry: Factors that Distinguish Liquid Dietary Supplements from
Beverages, Considerations Regarding Novel Ingredients, and Labeling for Beverages and Other Conventional Foods,
Draft Guidance, December 2009, http://www.fda.gov/food/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/
GuidanceDocuments/ucm192702.htm.
115 Natural Products Insider, “Differentiating Liquid Supplements and Beverages,” press release, December 16, 2009,
http://www.naturalproductsinsider.com/articles/2009/12/differentiating-liquid-supplements-and-beverages.aspx.
116 Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Voluntary and Mandatory Reports on
5-Hour Energy, Monster Energy, and Rockstar Energy Drink, CFSAN Adverse Event Reporting System, November
2012, http://www.fda.gov/downloads/AboutFDA/CentersOffices/OfficeofFoods/CFSAN/
CFSANFOIAElectronicReadingRoom/UCM328270.pdf.
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not mandatory for other food manufacturers. If the FDA were to classify all energy drinks as
dietary supplements, reporting of serious adverse events would be mandatory for all energy drink
manufacturers. These reports have placed the issues of energy drink classification and their
ingredients, and the government’s role in regulating their manufacture and marketing, into the
spotlight.117
Some Members of Congress have expressed concern over energy drink regulation, specifically
concerning caffeine, calling on the FDA to “fix regulatory loopholes.”118 Senators Durbin and
Blumenthal sent several letters to the FDA in 2012 requesting regulatory action to address the
“rising health concerns around energy drinks.”119 Until recently, FDA responded to these requests
by noting that there is insufficient evidence to take action on energy drinks with added caffeine.
However, in November 2012, the FDA agreed to commission an outside panel of experts to
review their safety.120
Drugs and Dietary Supplements: The Case of Pyridoxal 5-Phosphate
Concerns about identification are not limited to conventional food and dietary supplements; there
has also been confusion about the boundary between drugs and dietary supplements. For
example, FDA’s guidance on whether to submit an Investigational New Drug (IND) application
raised concerns about its application to the dietary supplement industry.121 According to the draft
IND guidance, an article is considered a drug when, among other things, it is being investigated
for the “diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease.”122 However, although
dietary supplement manufacturers may not make drug claims, according to DSHEA, a product
can still be sold as a dietary supplement while it is being investigated for an IND if it was on the
market as such prior to being approved as a new drug—unless the Secretary of HHS issues a
regulation to the contrary.123
One example of a dietary supplement that falls into this grey area is pyridoxal 5-phosphate (P5P,
a form of vitamin B6). In addition to currently being on the market as a dietary supplement, P5P
is currently being investigated as an IND. The company that filed the IND has also filed a Citizen
Petition124 with the FDA, asserting that P5P is being marketed as an unapproved NDI, because
117 For example, see Staff of Congressman Edward J. Markey, in coordination with the staff of Senators Richard J.
Durbin and Richard Blumenthal, What’s All the Buzz About?, A Survey of Popular Energy Drinks Finds Inconsistent
Labeling, Questionable Ingredients, and Targeted Marketing to Adolescents, April 10, 2013, http://markey.house.gov/
sites/markey.house.gov/files/documents/2013-04-10_EnergyDrink_Report_0.pdf.
118 Letter from Richard Durbin, Senator, and Richard Blumenthal, Senator, to Margaret Hamburg, Commissioner, U.S.
Food and Drug Administration, September 11, 2012, http://durbin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/files/serve?File_id=
fe44b78e-32ae-41a0-8a61-2ddf14ab95d1.
119 Ibid.
120 Food and Drug Administration, “Energy “Drinks” and Supplements: Investigation of Adverse Event Reports,” press
release, November 16, 2012, http://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/ucm328536.htm.
121 Food and Drug Administration, Investigational New Drug Applications (INDs)—Determining Whether Human
Research Studies Can Be Conducted Without an IND, Draft Guidance, Rockville, MD, October 2010,
http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/Guidances/UCM229175.pdf.
122 Ibid.
123 P.L. 103-784, Section 3(a).
124 FDA regulations permit any person to submit a Citizen Petition to FDA requesting the Commissioner to (1) issue,
amend, or revoke a regulation or order; or (2) take or refrain from taking any other form of administrative action. 21
C.F.R. §10.30.
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there is no indication that it was on the market prior to DSHEA, and no one has filed NDI
notification for P5P.125
Although the company that is investigating P5P as an IND has argued that P5P as a dietary
supplement is technically an NDI and was never lawfully marketed prior to the petitioner’s IND
application,126 dietary supplement manufacturers disagree. They have argued that the Citizen
Petition is a tactic to push P5P off the market as a dietary supplement, thereby diminishing
competition for the petitioner.127 The dietary supplement industry is concerned that FDA action on
this Citizen Petition could make it illegal to use P5P as a dietary supplement or dietary
supplement ingredient, and that this would set a precedent for other dietary supplement
ingredients that could be investigated as an IND.128 The Citizen Petition and associated public
comments are currently under review by the FDA.
The Role of Dietary Supplements in Health and Health Care
Experts recommend that individuals meet their nutritional needs by eating a variety of foods, as
outlined in the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.129 Some individuals take dietary
supplements in order to meet those nutritional goals. Surveys show that over half of all Americans
take dietary supplements, and that number has been increasing,130 yet there does not appear to be
a wide body of research on dietary supplements’ role in the health care system and potential
effects on health care costs.
Consensus has not been reached on the effectiveness of most dietary supplements, but privately
and publicly funded research is ongoing.131 Specific supplements, such as folic acid, have been
shown to greatly reduce the incidence of neural tube defects in infants; as a result of scientific
consensus, folic acid supplementation is now considered a vital component of prenatal care.132
Calcium supplementation is also often recommended by physicians for bone health, although
some studies find the evidence of benefits is inconclusive.133 Yet there is a dearth of peer-
reviewed research on the effectiveness of many other supplements. As the FDA implements the
NDI rule, one may be able to expect greater availability of research on newer additions to the
dietary supplement market, due to the rule’s requirements for substantiation.
125 For contents of the petition see FDA-2007-P-0410-0002 : http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FDA-
2007-P-0410-0002.
126 Ibid.
127 Alliance for Natural Health, “Vitamin B6 (P5P),” http://www.anh-usa.org/vitamin-b6-p5p/.
128 The company that filed the IND also filed a Citizen Petition asserting that P5P is being marketed as an unapproved
NDI, because there is no indication that it was on the market prior to DSHEA, and no one has filed NDI notification for
P5P.
129 U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Dietary Guidelines for
Americans, 2010, Washington, DC, December 2010, http://health.gov.dietaryguidelines/2010.asp.
130 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dietary Supplement Use Among U.S. Adults Has Increased Since
NHANES III (1988-1994), NCHS Data Brief, April 2011, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21592424.
131 The Office of Dietary Supplements at NIH, which funds dietary supplement research, was established under
DHSEA. For more information, see http://ods.od.nih.gov/.
132 For more information on folic acid, see http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/folicacid/index.html.
133 For more information on calcium, see http://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/everyone/basics/vitamins/calcium.html. See also
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, Vitamin D and Calcium Supplementation to Prevent Fractures, Current
Recommendations, February 2013, http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/uspsvitd.htm.
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Many physicians and their patients are reported to have a limited understanding of dietary
supplement regulation, safety, and efficacy, which may be compounded by the limited availability
of peer-reviewed medical research on the effects of dietary supplements.134 A 2010 report by the
Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that consumers and medical professionals may
be faced with a lack of objective information on the safety and efficacy of certain types of dietary
supplements, dietary supplement ingredients, and potential side-effects or interactions with other
medications.135 While prescription medications can be accounted for in their medical record,
patients may or may not share information about their supplement intake with physicians.
Additionally, some consumers may have limited understanding of the information provided on
dietary supplement marketing materials.136 However, some physicians recommend dietary
supplements to their patients based on the available literature, and still more patients take
supplements based on their own research and concerns.
The federal government and the dietary supplement industry have taken steps to address
consumer and health care provider understanding of dietary supplements through investment in
research and the promotion of industry standards.137 The NIH and Department of Defense (DOD)
have created websites and mobile applications to provide consumers with dietary supplement
information.138 Some physicians’ associations, such as the American Association of
Endocrinologists, have published guidelines for the clinical use of dietary supplements, grading
the quality and availability of evidence for each supplement reviewed.139 Industry groups have
also initiated development of guidelines for use.140
Past Congresses have introduced legislation141 that would allow dietary supplement
manufacturers to make claims that would be considered drug-like.142 Some research has shown
that, if dietary supplements could be proven to be safe and effective in the prevention and/or
treatment of specific health conditions through scientific research, and those benefits were
accurately conveyed to consumers, use of those supplements could possibly yield cost savings for
134 B Ashar, T Rice, and S Sisson, “Physicians’ Understanding of the Regulation of Dietary Supplements,” Arch Int
Med, vol. 167, no. 9 (2007), pp. 966-969.
135 U.S. Government Accountability Office, Herbal Dietary Supplements: Examples of Deceptive or Questionable
Marketing Practices and Potentially Dangerous Advice, 10-662T, March 2010, http://www.gao.gov/assets/130/
124769.pdf.
136 Ibid.
137 For more information on government manufacturing standards for dietary supplements, see the section in this report
on Good Manufacturing Practices. For examples of proposed or adopted industry standards, see the American Herbal
Products Association (www.ahpa.org); the Natural Products Association (www.npainfo.org); and the Council for
Responsible Nutrition (www.crnusa.org).
138 For example, see the Dietary Supplement Labels Database: http://dietarysupplements.nlm.nih.gov/dietary/; NIH’s
Office of Dietary Supplements: http://ods.od.nih.gov/; and DOD’s Human Performance Readiness Center: http://hprc-
online.org/.
139 AACE Nutrition Guidelines Task Force, American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists Medical Guidelines for
the Clinical Use of Dietary Supplements and Nutraceuticals, September 2003, https://www.aace.com/files/
nutraceuticals-2003.pdf.
140 For example, the Council for Responsible Nutrition publishes voluntary dosage recommendations and other
guidance for dietary supplement manufacturers. See http://www.crnusa.org/pdfs/
CRN_Recommended_Voluntary_Dosage_Recs0309.pdf.
141 H.R. 1364, 112th Congress.
142 That is, to make claims that their products “diagnose, mitigate, treat, cure, or prevent a disease or specific class of
diseases” as long as that claim is supported by “legitimate scientific research” as defined in H.R. 1364, 112th Congress.
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consumers.143 Conversely, the cost of conducting and documenting the research required to prove
health related claims to the FDA (such as randomized, controlled trials) in addition to proving
safety for each product could affect the cost of the supplement to consumers. Industry has noted
this in comments to the FDA.144 Currently, whether or not certain supplements are effective, they
may still have an effect on the health care system if they keep a patient out of a doctor’s office
(although this could have either a positive or negative outcome, in terms of both cost and
health).145
As the popularity of dietary supplements continues to grow, some patients and industry advocates
are pushing for certain supplements to be treated as medical care for the purposes of health
savings account eligibility.146 Advocates of this approach argue that supplements are being used to
enhance the health and well-being of individuals, and in theory maintain consumers’ health, and
thus should be eligible for purchase with funds from health care savings accounts. Some
employer-sponsored health care savings accounts currently allow dietary supplements as an
eligible expense in certain circumstances.147
Dietary Supplement Safety
Regardless of the form or the reasons for which they are consumed, there is consensus that
dietary supplements consumed by Americans should be safe and effective. However, there
remains disagreement on how to achieve the goals of safety and efficacy. According to public
opinion polls, the American public overwhelmingly assumes that FDA reviews the safety and
effectiveness of dietary supplements before they are marketed.148 While this is the case for drugs
and some medical devices, it is not the case for dietary supplements.
As noted earlier in this report, the FDA has the authority to regulate dietary supplements once
they are on the market, and can inspect facilities to ensure compliance with GMP; ensure proper
labeling and use of claims; and monitor adverse event reports. Additionally, the FTC monitors
dietary supplement advertising for compliance with its guidelines. The dietary supplement
industry has also taken steps toward self-regulation, by developing industry standards of quality
and safety and creating third-party certification programs.149
143 J DaVanzo et al., Cost Effectsof Five Dietary Supplements, The Lewin Group, Final Report, March 2005,
http://www.naturalproductsinfo.org/clientuploads/healthimpact1.pdf. The report studied (1) calcium (with vitamin D),
(2) folic acid, (3) omega-3 fatty acids, (4) glucosamine, and (5) saw palmetto.
144 Letter from Douglas MacKay, Vice President, Scientific and Regulatory Affairs, Council for Responsible Nutrition,
to Division of Docket Management, Food and Drug Administration, July 25, 2011, http://www.crnusa.org/pdfs/
CRNComments_FDAProposedCollectionInfo_SubstantiationDSClaimsUnderFDCAct072511.pdf.
145 J Umhau, K Garg, and A Woodward, “Dietary Supplements and Their Future in Health Care: Commentary on Draft
Guidelines Proposed by the Food and Drug Administration,” Antioxidants & Redox Signaling, vol. 16, no. 5 (2012), pp.
461-462.
146 For example, see S. 1098, 112th Congress. For information on health savings accounts, see CRS Report RS21573,
Tax-Advantaged Accounts for Health Care Expenses: Side-by-Side Comparison, by Carol Rapaport.
147 For example, see the FSA Feds Health and Dependent Care Accounts Juke Box at https://www.fsafeds.com/fsafeds/
eligibleexpenses.asp.
148 “What’s Behind our Dietary Supplements Coverage,” Consumer Reports, January 2011,
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/04/what-s-behind-our-dietary-supplements-coverage/index.htm.
149 For example, NSF International offers testing and certification of dietary supplements for quality, contamination,
and label claim verification. See http://www.nsf.org/business/dietary_supplements/index.asp?program=DietarySups.
The U.S. Pharmacopeia also sets standards and verifies the quality, purity, and potency of ingredients and finished
(continued...)
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FDA’s interpretation of its authorities through the rulemaking process is a source of disagreement
between FDA and the dietary supplement industry.150 For example, industry advocates have
argued that FDA’s draft NDI regulations undermine DSHEA because the FDA is now holding
dietary supplements to the same safety standards as food additives, which was not Congress’
intent.151 They have also expressed concerns about duplicative submissions, the level of safety
data required, and the definition of grandfathered ingredients.152 Public health advocates argue
that scientific evidence is necessary to demonstrate product safety, as these products continue to
grow in popularity and usage.153 However, industry advocates believe the cost of proving NDI
safety will be too burdensome, and will cause some manufacturers to drop production of certain
supplements.154 Some Members of Congress concur, and have written the FDA urging the agency
to rewrite the NDI guidance in a manner that would not increase barriers to market entry for new
dietary supplement companies and products.155
Some argue that FDA’s ability to identify safety concerns associated with dietary supplements is
undermined by a lack of scientific information that is available for other regulated products, such
as drugs.156 Industry representatives argue that most dietary supplement ingredients have a history
of safe use in humans, and therefore should not be held to the same standard as drugs, and that
newer additions to the supplement market will be required to go through the NDI notification
process. For adulterated and some misbranded products, the FDA now has mandatory recall
authority (as of FSMA), although the burden of proof remains on the FDA. In the past, the
process for FDA to prove a significant or unreasonable risk was lengthy. For example, it took the
FDA 10 years to amass enough data to meet the statutory burden of proof for banning Ephedra
from the market.157
(...continued)
products. For more information on “USP Verified” products, see http://www.usp.org/usp-verification-services/usp-
verified-dietary-supplements.
150 Natural Products Insider, “FDA Reportedly to Revisit NDI Draft Guidance,” press release, June 19, 2012,
http://www.naturalproductsinsider.com/news/2012/06/fda-reportedly-to-revisit-ndi-draft-guidance.aspx.
151 For example, see Hyman Phelps & McNamara, P.C., “HP&M Files Comments on Draft NDI Guidance; Request
Withdrawal and Reissuance Reflecting DSHEA Intent,” press release, December 7, 2011, http://www.fdalawblog.net/
fda_law_blog_hyman_phelps/2011/12/hpm-files-comments-to-draft-ndi-guidance-request-withdrawal-and-reissuance-
reflecting-dshea-intent.html.
152 Letter from John Gay , Executive Director and CEO, Natural Products Association, and Cara Welch, Vice President,
Scientific and Regulatory Affairs, to U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Division of Dockets Management, November
30, 2011, http://www.npainfo.org/App_Themes/NPA/docs/regulatoryLegislative/
NPAComments%20NDI%20Draft%20Guidance%20-%20113011.pdf.
153 B Denham, “Dietary Supplements—Regulatory Issues and Implications for Public Health,” JAMA, vol. 306, no. 4
(July 27, 2011), pp. 428-429.
154 Natural Products Association, “NDI Draft Guidance,” press release, http://www.npainfo.org/NPA/Advocacy/
NDIDraftGuidance.aspx.
155 Letter from Members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee to Margaret Hamburg, Commissioner, U.S.
Food and Drug Administration, March 29, 2012, http://www.anh-usa.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/NDI-
3.29.12.pdf.
156 B Denham, “Dietary Supplements—Regulatory Issues and Implications for Public Health,” JAMA, vol. 306, no. 4
(July 27, 2011), pp. 428-429. See also Dietary Supplements: FDA May Have Opportunities to Expand itsUse of
Reported Health Problems to Oversee Products, GAO-13-244, March 2013, p. 1, http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-
13-244.
157 U.S. Government Accountability Office, Food Safety: FDA Has Begun to Take Action to Address Weaknesses in
Food Safety Research, but Gaps Remain, 10-182R, April 23, 2010, p. 10, http://www.gao.gov/assets/100/96676.pdf.
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Some have claimed that FDA’s current enforcement policies overstep the agency’s authority and
violate the First Amendment, while others have deemed the agency’s enforcement policies
“anemic.”158 Past inspections by the FDA have found dietary supplements that contain undeclared
or deceptively labeled ingredients.159 These products are often promoted for weight loss, sexual
enhancement, and bodybuilding. FSMA provided FDA the authority to notify the Drug
Enforcement Agency (DEA) when it determines that an NDI may contain an anabolic steroid or
its analogue.160 In response to recent findings, the FDA wrote a letter to industry communicating
its legal obligation and responsibility to prevent tainted products from reaching the U.S. market,
highlighting a new rapid public notification system to warn consumers about those products and a
mechanism for manufacturers to notify FDA about potentially tainted products.161 FDA has
publicly warned consumers about these products and had provided consumer information
bulletins on how to consider whether a supplement is safe or not.162
Despite new FDA post-market authorities and industry standard and certification programs, the
public is still faced with examples of inconsistent potency and quality (including that of
compounded dietary supplements, which are currently not subject to GMP)163, unsubstantiated
claims made by manufacturers, and illegal or unapproved ingredients that render supplements
adulterated. For example, the FDA recently issued a number of warning letters to manufacturers
who may not be following the NDI guidelines. In April 2012, the agency issued warning letters to
10 dietary supplement manufacturers for marketing products containing dimethylamylamine
(DMAA) without submitting an NDI notification.164 Plaintiffs have used these warning letters to
bring lawsuits against those companies.165
FDA has taken steps in recent years to address oversight of dietary supplement safety.166
Enforcement of existing laws and regulations is generally restricted by funding, and the agency’s
discretionary budget authority has remained relatively flat in recent years.167 The agency also has
158 Masoudi G and Pruitt C, “The Food and Drug Administration V. the First Amendment: A Survey of Recent FDA
Enforcement,” Health Matrix, vol. 21 (2011), pp. 111-147.
159 These may include, but are not limited to: active ingredients in FDA-approved drugs or their analogues; other
compounds that do not qualify as dietary ingredients, such as novel synthetic steroids.
160 P.L. 111-353, Section 113.
161 Food and Drug Administration, “FDA: Tainted Products Marketed as Dietary Supplements Potentially Dangerous,”
press release, December 15, 2010, http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm236967.htm.
162 Food and Drug Administration, Tainted Products Marketed as Dietary Supplements, Consumer Health Information,
December 2010, http://www.fda.gov/consumer/consumernews.html.
163 Drug compounding, or the process of combining, mixing, or altering ingredients, has recently been of interest to
Congress. Some pharmacies also engage in compounding dietary supplements, although it has not been the focus of
recent compounding concerns. For more information on drug compounding, see CRS Report R40503, FDA’s Authority
to Regulate Drug Compounding: A Legal Analysis, by Jennifer Staman, and CRS Report R43038, Federal Authority to
Regulate the Compounding of Human Drugs, by Andrew Nolan.
164 U.S. Food and Drug Administration, “FDA Challenges Marketing of DMAA Products for Lack of Safety
Evidence,” press release, April 27, 2012, http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/
ucm302133.htm. In April 2013, the FDA issued a consumer update explaining the health risks to consumers and
reiterating the warning to manufacturers: http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm347270.htm.
165 N Singer and P Lattman, “Is the Seller to Blame? Workout Supplement Challenged After Death of Soldier,” The
New York Times, March 15, 2013, online edition.
166 For example, by increasing inspections: see Dietary Supplements: FDA May Have Opportunities to Expand its Use
of Reported Health Problems to Oversee Products, GAO-13-244, March 2013, p. 1, http://www.gao.gov/products/
GAO-13-244.
167 U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FY2014 Congressional Budget Justification, http://www.fda.gov/downloads/
(continued...)
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increased regulatory responsibilities under FSMA.168 Despite these potential constraints, the
increased awareness of issues due to mandatory serious adverse event reporting has led the FDA
to increase dietary supplement facility inspections and other enforcement actions since 2008.169
Industry groups and other advocates have historically challenged regulations that are perceived to
overstep FDA’s authority under the FFDCA. Legislative action often moves forward once
industry, Congress, and the FDA achieve consensus. For example, adverse event reporting was
strengthened once Congress, scientific advisory committees, industry, and consumers established
consensus on the issue,170 and the mandatory recall authority proffered by FSMA was also
supported by industry representatives.171
Concluding Comments
Consumers, the health care and dietary supplement industries, Congress, and federal regulators all
have a stake in supplement identification, effectiveness, and safety. Research into the
effectiveness and safety of supplements, industry compliance, surveillance and effective reporting
strategies, and enforcement of current authorities are perennial concerns in this area.
With each legislative and regulatory action over the years, Congress and FDA have tried to
balance often conflicting goals:
• safety and effectiveness;
• access to up-to-date, complete, and unbiased information on dietary supplements;
• accurate reporting of adverse events; and
• consumer choice.
Congress has demonstrated a sustained interest in dietary supplement related issues. It is
uncertain if the 113th Congress will pass any new dietary supplement related legislation. Such
issues may arise in the broader context of congressional interest in nutrition and food safety.
(...continued)
AboutFDA/ReportsManualsForms/Reports/BudgetReports/UCM347422.pdf.
168 P.L. 111-353.
169 Dietary Supplements: FDA May Have Opportunities to Expand its Use of Reported Health Problems to Oversee
Products, GAO-13-244, March 2013, p. 1, http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-13-244.
170 Michael McGuffin, President, American Herbal Products Association, “Mission and Functions of the American
Herbal Products Association ,” Presentation, ODS Practicum, June 2011, http://www.ahpa.org/Portals/0/members/
11_0608_McGuffin_ODS_Practicum_AHPA.pdf.
171 NutraIngredients-USA, “'Industry is Addressing its Problems’: NPA/CRN Set the Record Straight Over Arch Intern
Med Commentary ,” press release, August 20, 2012, http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Regulation/Industry-is-
addressing-its-problems-NPA-CRN-set-the-record-straight-over-Arch-Intern-Med-commentary.
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Appendix A. Selected Laws Regulating
Dietary Supplements
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (P.L. 75-717)
The FFDCA provides FDA with the authority to oversee the safety of food, drugs, and cosmetics.
Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-535)
The Nutrition Labeling and Education Act (NLEA) amended the FFDCA to require most foods,
including dietary supplements, to bear nutrition labeling. It provided required information for
labels and required the FDA to promulgate regulations regarding nutrition labeling and health
claim requirements for foods and dietary supplements.
Prescription Drug User Fee Act of 1992 (P.L. 102-571)
Title II of the Prescription Drug User Fee Act is referred to as the “Dietary Supplement Act of
1992” and required a one-year moratorium on FDA’s implementation of dietary supplement
labeling under NLEA.
Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (P.L. 103-417)
The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) amended the FFDCA to create new
manufacturing and labeling requirements for dietary supplements, and established the Office of
Dietary Supplements within the National Institutes of Health.
Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and
Response Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-188)
This law mandates a chain of possession identification (manufacturer, processor, packer,
distributor, and other possessors) for those firms that seek to import components of drugs,
devices, food additives, color additives, or dietary supplements for further processing and export.
Dietary Supplement and Nonprescription Drug Consumer
Protection Act (P.L. 109-462)
This law mandates the reporting of any dietary supplement related serious adverse event to the
FDA within 15 days of the event. Serious adverse event reporting is mandatory for manufacturers,
packers, or distributors whose name appears on the dietary supplement label.
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FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (P.L. 111-353)
FSMA provides FDA with mandatory recall authority for food, including dietary supplements.
This law also requires FDA to issue NDI guidance no later than 180 after its enactment.
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Appendix B. Principal Display Panel,
Dietary Supplements
Figure B-1. Example of a Dietary Supplement Principal Display Panel
Source: National Institutes of Health, Dietary Supplements Labels Database at the National Library of Medicine,
http://dietarysupplements.nlm.nih.gov/dietary/faq16.pdf.
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Appendix C. Acronyms Used in This Report
Government Agencies
• CDC—Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• CFSAN—Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Office of Foods, FDA
• FDA—U.S. Food and Drug Administration
• FTC—Federal Trade Commission
• GAO—U.S. Government Accountability Office
• OIG—Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Legislation
• DSHEA—Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994
• FDAMA—FDA Modernization Act
• FFDCA—Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act
• FSMA—FDA Food Safety Modernization Act of 2011
• NLEA—Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990
Miscellaneous
• CFR—Code of Federal Regulations
• FAERS—FDA Adverse Event Reporting System
• GMP—Good Manufacturing Practices
• GRAS—Generally Recognized as Safe
• NDI—New Dietary Ingredient
• SSA—FDA’s Significant Scientific Agreement Standard for approved health claims
• IND—Investigational New Drug
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Author Contact Information
Amalia K. Corby-Edwards
Analyst in Public Health and Epidemiology
acorbyedwards@crs.loc.gov, 7-0423
Acknowledgments
Jaime Hastings, visiting intern, and Ada Cornell, Information Research Specialist, contributed to this
report.
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