The Food and Drug Administration is considering a proposal that would reduce the frequency of mandatory health claim disclaimers on dietary supplement packaging, a move that some experts fear could weaken consumer warnings.
Many people turn to vitamins and dietary supplements to address nutrient deficiencies or improve general health, but do they repally work? News4’s Consumer Reporter Susan Hogan reports.that would cut back on how often dietary supplement warnings must appear on packaging, a move experts say could make them easier to miss.
A 1994 federal law requires supplement companies to include a disclaimer when they make health claims like “supports immune health” or “promotes heart health” or better memory. According to the law, next to promises about benefits, the packaging must display in boldface type: “This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.” In a letter to supplement makers dated Thursday, Kyle Diamantas, the head of the FDA’s food division, said the possible proposal would still require companies to include the disclaimer on their products at least once, but it would no longer require it to be repeated every time a health claim appears.Diamantas said that the agency has rarely enforced the existing rule and that the change would cut down on label clutter and costs. He didn’t say when the rule change could take effect, but said the FDA wouldn’t enforce the existing requirement while it reviews the policy.“If FDA does not identify significant concerns as we continue our review of the available data and information regarding this request, we are likely to propose a rule to amend this requirement,” Diamantas wrote in the letter. More than three-quarters of Americans take at least one supplement, botanical, mineral or vitamin, according to the FDA. As many asDr. Pieter Cohen, an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, said the FDA’s move could be the first step toward making already weak supplement warnings even weaker. “Then you start saying things like, ‘We only need it on the actual bottle,’” Cohen said. “Then you say, ‘It only needs to be on the back.’ Then you let the print get smaller.” In a statement, Andrew Nixon, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the FDA, said the change wouldn’t make it harder for consumers to notice the warning, adding that “a growing number of Americans are paying closer to attention to product labels.” Dietary supplements are popular among figures tied to the Make America Healthy Again movement. Dr. Mehmet Oz, the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, was criticizedHealth Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has stated he takes a wide range of supplements himself, said the Trump administration would move to free Americans from Scott Gottlieb, a former FDA commissioner, said he wasn’t sure what it meant for consumers but a rule change means supplement makers wouldn’t have to make the disclaimers as prominent, possibly making them easier to miss. Cohen countered that because dietary supplements aren’t reviewed before they’re sold, the products can contain different amounts of ingredients than what’s listed on the label — or“This further undermines the ability of consumers to understand the true health effects,” Cohen said. Steve Mister, the president and CEO of the Council for Responsible Nutrition, a trade group for the supplement industry, said in a statement the group “welcomed” the FDA’s clarification on warning labels. The group previously told the FDA that a single disclaimer on a supplement’s label — linked to health claims with an asterisk or similar symbol — is enough to inform people and meet the federal law’s intent.
FDA Supplements Warnings Health Claims Regulations
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
City council considers moving city elections to save money and increase voter turnoutWe're just a few days away from San Antonio city leaders potentially voting on changing the dates of city elections.
Read more »
BoJ official: Tankan survey shows easing trade fears but rising cost pressuresJapanese firms cited easing uncertainty around US trade policy and resilient demand in high-tech sectors as key factors supporting business sentiment, according to comments from a senior Bank of Japan (BoJ) official on the Tankan survey.
Read more »
Methylene Blue Trend Raises Concerns: Science Weighs In On Popular Wellness SupplementThe use of methylene blue, promoted by wellness influencers, is gaining traction for its purported health benefits. However, scientific experts caution against the trend, citing insufficient research and potential risks.
Read more »
This Clinically-Validated Daily Supplement Unlocks the Benefits of Fasting Without Skipping MealsMimio Health’s formula is designed to activate your body’s natural longevity systems and enhance your healthspan.
Read more »
FDA Considers Easing Supplement Warning Label Requirements, Sparking DebateThe Food and Drug Administration is considering a rule change that would reduce the frequency of dietary supplement warning labels, a move that has sparked debate among experts. The change, if implemented, could make it easier for consumers to miss important safety information, according to some. The proposal has drawn mixed reactions, especially with the industry welcoming the change, while medical experts express concerns.
Read more »
Comal County considers major jail expansion to meet future needsThe Comal County Jail, currently housing 580 inmates, may soon see its capacity double as county officials deliberate on a potential expansion.The expansion pl
Read more »