NPA Leads Grassroots Charge Against Durbin Supplements Bill

Source: Natural Products Association

Washington, DC– The Natural Products Association (NPA) has launched a grassroots campaign to oppose the “Dietary Supplement Labeling Act” recently introduced in Congress by Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL). NPA urges its more than 1900 members to ask their legislators to oppose the legislation by sending them a letter at www.npainfo.org/Durbin.

 Among other provisions, the bill would direct the Department of Health and Human Services (presumably the Food and Drug Administration) to create a list of ingredients and proprietary blends of ingredients that “could cause potentially serious adverse events.” This overly broad language (no definition is offered of “could cause,” for example) takes the regulation of supplements well beyond the current, effective rules governing the industry. 

Senator Durbin cited the issue of energy drinks and foods masquerading as dietary supplements when introducing the legislation. NPA Executive Director and CEO John Gay said, “The NPA supports actions by the FDA to hold accountable those who violate the law, and we’ve done our part through self-regulatory activities to ensure accuracy, quality and safety in the dietary supplement industry.” Gay added, “We believe, however, that current regulations are sufficient. The U.S. supplement industry has an excellent safety record, and burdensome, duplicative new regulations are not needed.”

“It may appear that this proposal has an uphill climb in this Congress,” Gay said, “but it is important that we do not let bad bills get any traction. If we do not make our position known, we could find ourselves facing a bill with 30 co-sponsors.” Gay added, “Things change in Congress, and when and if this bill moves we want it to start from the one yard line, not from the 50.”

For more information about the “Dietary Supplement Labeling Act,” including NPA member updates, news alerts, and letters to Congress, visit www.npainfo.org/Durbin.