Viewpoint

Here, a monthly perspective from Consumers Union on the latest challenges—and possible solutions—facing U.S. consumers today. See archived letters.

A supplement strategy

It's no wonder the shelves are crowded; they're laden with more than 54,000 dietary supplements—and a reported 1,000 or so new ones show up every year. But consumers' health is at risk from troubling gaps in federal laws that let manufacturers sell products without first demonstrating that they are safe and effective, minimal notification to the Food and Drug Administration, and incomplete and inconsistent safety information.

A significant number of highly questionable products would most likely not be allowed on the market if they were subject to rigorous safety testing (see Dangerous supplements). They're not, because the FDA lacks the legal authority and doesn't have enough staff or funding to properly monitor the marketplace.

Too weak to work

Every time Congress takes small steps toward strengthening supplement safety, the industry mobilizes high-pitched lobbying campaigns in the name of freedom of choice for consumers. But freedom of choice shouldn't preclude rigorous manufacturing and safety standards, appropriate and consistent warning labels, and adequate safety information.

A strong, preventive safety system for dietary supplements would:

• Keep unsafe products off the market.
• Ensure the prompt recall of any products that are found to be hazardous.
• Ensure that products aren't contaminated with prescription drugs and are consistently low in heavy metals, such as cadmium and lead.
• Require high quality standards to be met during the manufacturing process and for imported ingredients.
• Strengthen the requirements for safety information on labels and packaging, including potential drug interactions.

Needed: Laws with leverage

In 2007 the FDA finalized manufacturing quality standards, but they're just now being fully phased in. And the FDA can't keep up with the increase in ingredients coming from overseas. Proposals that require manufacturers to register with the FDA and boost the agency's mandatory recall authority are before Congress.

Consumers Union believes that the responsibility rests with Congress to make steady progress toward establishing a comprehensive safety system and giving the FDA the resources it needs to conduct robust inspections and enforcement.