If you are concerned about the contents of your vitamins, minerals, herbs, botanicals, protein bars or other supplements, you’re not alone. The dietary supplements industry is continuing to grow due to consumers’ continued interest in health and nutrition. The fact that these products do not receive the same regulation as prescription or over-the-counter drugs can raise questions in the minds of many people. Whether you have questions about how these products are regulated, the scope and benefits of certification or how to read a supplement label, you can find useful information here to help you make an educated decision when shopping for dietary supplements, vitamins, sports supplements or other nutritional products.
In the U.S., products sold as dietary supplements are not permitted to claim that they can treat, prevent or cure a specific disease or condition. However, they can make other claims on the product label:
Disease or health claims show a link between a food or substance and a disease or health-related condition. An example of this type of claim would be, "calcium and a lower risk of osteoporosis" if a supplement contains sufficient amounts of calcium.
Structure/function claims refer to the supplement's effect on the body's structure or function, including its overall effect on a person's well-being. Examples of structure/function claims include "Calcium builds strong bones" and "Antioxidants maintain cell integrity".
Nutrient content claims describe the level of a nutrient in a food or dietary supplement. For example, a supplement containing at least 200 milligrams (mg) of calcium per serving could carry the claim "high in calcium." A supplement with at least 12 mg per serving of vitamin C could state on its label, "excellent source of vitamin C."
So much information is displayed on the labels of dietary supplements, but what does it mean? Four key label areas are described below.
With so many dietary supplements on the market today, many people wonder if these products are truly regulated and if so, what the regulations cover.
Yes. Congress established the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) in 1994 to create a regulatory framework to address the safety and labeling of dietary supplements. More recent regulations require manufacturers to observe Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) established for this industry, including ingredient testing.
In contrast to prescription and over-the-counter drugs, dietary supplements covered by this act do not normally need approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) prior to being marketed. The main exception is for products introducing a new dietary ingredient, where pre-market review for safety data and other information is required.
Yes. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulates advertising for supplements and most other products sold to consumers.
Advertising and promotional materials received in the mail are subject to U.S. Postal Inspection Service regulations.
Dietary supplements are classified under the general category of food products, not drugs.
Before marketing, drugs must undergo clinical studies to determine their effectiveness, safety, possible interactions with other substances and appropriate dosages. The U.S. FDA then reviews the data and determines whether to authorize use of the drugs.
In most cases, the FDA does not test dietary supplements or authorize their use prior to their being marketed. The FDA can order the removal of a dietary supplement from the marketplace, however, if they feel it is unsafe for consumers.
Yes. NSF/ANSI 173: Dietary Supplements is an American National Standard that helps confirm that what's on the label matches what's in the bottle. In addition, testing is conducted to confirm that there are no unsafe levels of contaminants such as heavy metals, pesticides and herbicides in the product.