Does the federal government regulate dietary supplements?
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. Recent regulations have also been adopted to require manufacturers to observe good manufacturing practices (GMPs), 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 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. Does the federal government regulate the advertising of dietary supplements? 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. How do regulat
