Kiss Vitamins Goodbye - FDA proposes supplement standards

May 24, 2003

http://www.msnbc.com/news/882166.asp?0cv=CB10FDA

proposes supplement standards

Guidelines will ensure dietary aids are accurately labeled

ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON, March 7 - The government proposed the first manufacturing

standards for largely unregulated dietary supplements Friday, saying the

long-awaited rules could cut fraud and contamination and finally ensure

consumers get what they pay for. However, there still will be no guarantee

that the pills or powders work or even are safe to swallow.

'Consumers should have access to dietary supplements that are accurately

labeled and free from contaminants.'

- MARK MCCLELLAN FDA Commissioner

BUT THE Food and Drug Administration's factory rules aim to ensure that the

ingredients and dosages promised on a supplement's bottle really are

contained inside, without any dangerous contaminants.

They're a cross between the manufacturing standards required for foods and

for over-the-counter drugs like aspirin. Until now, only a small portion of

the supplement industry has followed voluntary quality standards.

A 'BUYER-BEWARE MARKET'

Too often, this is " a buyer-beware market, " said FDA Commissioner Mark

McClellan. " Consumers should have access to dietary supplements that are

accurately labeled and free from contaminants. "

The FDA estimates that are at least 1,000 makers of dietary supplements sell

in the United States, a $19 billion industry that is exempt from most safety

oversight. Under a 1994 law, supplements can be sold without first proving

they're safe or truly deliver the benefits they advertise; there isn't even

any way to ensure a bottle contains the promised amount of pure ingredients.

Over and over in recent years, scientists and consumer groups have tested

bottles of supplements and found fraud. The FDA cited a recall of a line of

supplements discovered contaminated with brain-toxic lead. In another case,

a maker of folic acid - a nutrient taken by pregnant women to reduce birth

defects - recalled the pills after scientists discovered they contained only

a third of the amount listed on the label, meaning women didn't get the

protective amount necessary.

The new manufacturing standards aim to prevent such problems by, among other

things, requiring certain quality-control steps that include company testing

of ingredients and finished products for contamination and the promised

dose.

The proposed rules will be open for public comment for three months.

McClellan said he expected to issue final regulations next year. Bigger

manufacturers will have to comply first, with small companies given up to

three years to implement the rules.

FDA inspections, focusing most on " the potential bad actors, " will ensure

the rules are followed, McClellan said. Advertisement

But a segment of the supplement industry has long called for the

manufacturing standards, and McClellan said he expected more reputable firms

would implement the proposed rules right away.

" The responsible manufacturers are happy to comply, " said John Hathcock of

the Council for Responsible Nutrition, which represents 80 companies that

follow voluntary quality standards. Other manufacturers " cloud our whole

industry, and we're glad to see federal action to force them to ... get in

line or get out of business. "

published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

May 26, 2003

Much like the industries that came under regulation in the 20th century, it looks to me like this is just a way for those established companies who already do pharmaceutical grade vitamins, minerals, herbs, etc, to get rid of competitors by regulating them out of existence. It will obviously take more money to start up new companies. On the other hand, to just buy pure peppermint by the pound, or ginkgo biloba by the pound, or any of the thousands of herbs that are out there. Can they regulate that? Does this regulate that?

Ed

-

Elaine

§ Paranormal_Research@y ; *§ @y

Saturday, May 24, 2003 1:34 AM

Kiss Vitamins Goodbye - FDA proposes supplement standards

http://www.msnbc.com/news/882166.asp?0cv=CB10FDAproposes supplement standardsGuidelines will ensure dietary aids are accurately labeledASSOCIATED PRESSWASHINGTON, March 7 - The government proposed the first manufacturingstandards for largely unregulated dietary supplements Friday, saying thelong-awaited rules could cut fraud and contamination and finally ensureconsumers get what they pay for. However, there still will be no guaranteethat the pills or powders work or even are safe to swallow.'Consumers should have access to dietary supplements that are accuratelylabeled and free from contaminants.'- MARK MCCLELLAN FDA CommissionerBUT THE Food and Drug Administration's factory rules aim to ensure that theingredients and dosages promised on a supplement's bottle really arecontained inside, without any dangerous contaminants.They're a cross between the manufacturing standards required for foods andfor over-the-counter drugs like aspirin. Until now, only a small portion ofthe supplement industry has followed voluntary quality standards.A 'BUYER-BEWARE MARKET'Too often, this is "a buyer-beware market," said FDA Commissioner MarkMcClellan. "Consumers should have access to dietary supplements that areaccurately labeled and free from contaminants."The FDA estimates that are at least 1,000 makers of dietary supplements sellin the United States, a $19 billion industry that is exempt from most safetyoversight. Under a 1994 law, supplements can be sold without first provingthey're safe or truly deliver the benefits they advertise; there isn't evenany way to ensure a bottle contains the promised amount of pure ingredients.Over and over in recent years, scientists and consumer groups have testedbottles of supplements and found fraud. The FDA cited a recall of a line ofsupplements discovered contaminated with brain-toxic lead. In another case,a maker of folic acid - a nutrient taken by pregnant women to reduce birthdefects - recalled the pills after scientists discovered they contained onlya third of the amount listed on the label, meaning women didn't get theprotective amount necessary.The new manufacturing standards aim to prevent such problems by, among otherthings, requiring certain quality-control steps that include company testingof ingredients and finished products for contamination and the promiseddose.The proposed rules will be open for public comment for three months.McClellan said he expected to issue final regulations next year. Biggermanufacturers will have to comply first, with small companies given up tothree years to implement the rules.FDA inspections, focusing most on "the potential bad actors," will ensurethe rules are followed, McClellan said. AdvertisementBut a segment of the supplement industry has long called for themanufacturing standards, and McClellan said he expected more reputable firmswould implement the proposed rules right away."The responsible manufacturers are happy to comply," said John Hathcock ofthe Council for Responsible Nutrition, which represents 80 companies thatfollow voluntary quality standards. Other manufacturers "cloud our wholeindustry, and we're glad to see federal action to force them to ... get inline or get out of business."© 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not bepublished, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»NATIONWIDE DENTAL BENEFITS PACKAGE PLUSSAVE UP TO 80% on DENTAL, PRESCRIPTIONS DRUGS,GLASSES, CONTACTS, VISION CARE, & CHIROPRACTIC.$11.95 For Single or$19.95 For an entire household per month!Immediate Coverage * No Waiting Period Pre-existing Covered * No Limit on Benefits http://www.mybenefitsplus.com/MMerrill/ Email: MEM121«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§ - PULSE ON WORLD HEALTH CONSPIRACIES! §Subscribe:......... - To :.... - Any information here in is for educational purpose only, it may be news related, purely speculation or someone's opinion. Always consult with a qualified health practitioner before deciding on any course of treatment, especially for serious or life-threatening illnesses.**COPYRIGHT NOTICE**In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107,any copyrighted work in this message is distributed under fair use without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml

May 26, 2003

Ok, now with internet, what is to stop us from getting our needs met

outside of america to the less " free " countries??? THe other

countries are laughing at us.

May 29, 2003

This is what I said for long time, the gov. is forceing us to the BLACK MARKET.. And as u know there lots money in the black market for them.. You are arrested, fines imposed on one, you pay, they get your products, for them to sale.. Its a racket that being forced upon us. I know right now a woman/man with high power little jet makeing plans & takeing orders to fly to other countries to get vitamins, they plan to be rich.. Why not they already rich for flying in dope, nothing been done about that.. ITS ALL A MONEY RACKET.missourinaturegirl <missourinaturegirl wrote:

Ok, now with internet, what is to stop us from getting our needs met outside of america to the less "free" countries??? THe other countries are laughing at us. «¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»NATIONWIDE DENTAL BENEFITS PACKAGE PLUSSAVE UP TO 80% on DENTAL, PRESCRIPTIONS DRUGS,GLASSES, CONTACTS, VISION CARE, & CHIROPRACTIC.$11.95 For Single or$19.95 For an entire household per month!Immediate Coverage * No Waiting Period Pre-existing Covered * No Limit on Benefits http://www.mybenefitsplus.com/MMerrill/ Email: MEM121«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§ - PULSE ON WORLD HEALTH CONSPIRACIES! §Subscribe:......... - To :.... - Any information here in is for educational purpose only, it may be news related, purely speculation or someone's opinion. Always consult with a qualified health practitioner before deciding on any course of treatment, especially for serious or life-threatening illnesses.**COPYRIGHT NOTICE**In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107,any copyrighted work in this message is distributed under fair use without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml