We are beginning a new political campaign aimed at The Dietary Supplement Labeling Act of 2011 (S.1310). This bill, introduced by Sen. Durbin of Illinois, has purportedly been introduced to reign in food companies who are adding dietary supplements to their food and drink products and labeling them as dietary supplements to avoid review and regulation from the FDA.
However, the bill targets all dietary supplement makers, not just those food and drink manufacturers who are exploiting the system. Among other provisions, the bill would direct the FDA to add warning labels to supplements with ingredients thatthe agency decides are potentially harmful. Remember, this is an agency that is already hostile toward the dietary supplement industry. Furthermore, there are regulations in place that successfully regulate the very safe supplement industry.
We have attached a document explaining the bill and that lists ways to take direct action. You can also read the text below.
Ask your legislators to OPPOSE Sen. Durbin’s
Dietary Supplement Labeling Act of 2011 (S. 1310)
CONTACT YOUR SENATOR EMAIL SENATOR DURBIN
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Current issues related to supplements.
The Dietary Supplement Labeling Act:
Yet Another Misguided Bill that Would Burden the Already Regulated Dietary Supplement Industry
Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) has introduced the Dietary Supplement Labeling Act of 2011 (S. 1310), which we believe would impose needless new regulations on supplement makers in an attempt to address the issue of manufacturers who label their food and drink products as dietary supplements.
Among other provisions, the bill would direct the Department of Health and Human Services (presumably the FDA) to create a list of ingredients and proprietary blend of ingredients that “could cause potentially serious adverse events.” This overly broad language takes the regulation of supplements well beyond the current, effective rules.
The bill would also direct the FDA to impose mandatory warning labels on ingredients the government decides are potentially harmful. There are no protections in the bill from the inevitable lawsuits that would follow.
We recognize the intent of the bill is to halt the sale of food products that are masquerading as dietary supplements, but the FDA has existing authority to act against such rule breakers. Imposing additional regulations on the legitimate dietary supplement industry is neither an appropriate nor an effective way to achieve this goal.
Please join us in urging Congress to oppose S. 1310. Send your letter to your lawmakers today!
READ MORE ABOUT THE DURBIN ANTI-SUPPLEMENT BILL
