Supplement Labeling Essay

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Introduction The necessity of supplement labeling is a heavily debated topic in the United States (US). Regulation of supplements in the United States falls on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). There is a norm of less stringent regulation that makes it difficult for policy to change. This norm may benefit one actor, like the producer, at the expense of the consumer. Safety becomes the number one priority for the regulator, but they are limited to acting only when harm is apparent and undeniable. There are several individual and institutional factors that influence how supplement labeling has changed and will be regulated in the future. Background Legislation on supplement labeling has undergone a few drastic changes over the years. In 1938, the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) differentiated between a drug and a supplement. A supplement is different that a drug because it is not intended to cure a disease. The FFDCA gave the FDA authority to regulate supplements. The main priority of the FDA is to …show more content…

It defined dietary supplements as “ a product intended to supplement the diet that contains one or more of the following: a vitamin, mineral, an herb or other botanical, an amino acid.”. Under this act, supplement producers cannot misbrand, use false or misleading labels, or adulterate, add impure substances that may cause illness, their products. There does not need to be scientific supports as long as it adheres to the two previous rules. It is important to that note that while, the FDA is principle regulator of supplements and their ingredients, regulation also falls under the presidential and congressional oversight. The regulatory power of the FDA has expanded over the years with DSHEA being the current framework for supplement