The National Nutritional Foods Association (NNFA) is urging industry members to 'protect DSHEA and all supplements', which according to the association are under threat following new measures proposed last week by the Food & Drug Administration concerning ephedra.
The FDA is asking for public comment regarding the safety of the herb and possible addition of warning labels to products containing ephedra. But it is also considering additional legislative authority to address the issue. NNFA is concerned that changes to FDA's legislative authority would result in amending the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) and therefore apply to all supplements.
The trade body is worried that amendments to DSHEA could mean that new dietary supplement products will need to go through a lengthy approval process before being sold. This would mean fewer products, reduced innovation and less variety, says NNFA.
Some industry voices have however argued that it is time that DSHEA was modified. DSHEA should after all be able to move with the times and cope with industry developments.
Industry members wishing to voice their support or opinions to the FDA should write to the Agency by April 5, 2003.