Blumenthal, Durbin Applaud GNC's Agreement to Adopt Stricter Testing Methods, Safety Requirements on Supplements

(Washington, DC) – Today, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) issued the following statement following GNC’s agreement to implement stricter testing methods on its herbal products and supplements:

“GNC has taken a significant step today in working to improve product safety and ensuring that their supplements do not threaten the health of consumers. We urge the rest of the dietary supplement industry to follow their lead. GNC’s commitment to more robust testing procedures is a good first step in providing more certainty for consumers in a largely unregulated industry. We will continue to work to strengthen the FDA’s enforcement capabilities against misbranded and adulterated supplements. Consumers should no longer have to worry that products they are purchasing or consuming have not been adequately tested, are mislabeled, or pose a risk to their safety.”

Senators Blumenthal and Durbin have been strong advocates for stricter safety standards within the herbal supplement industry, writing to three major supplement organizations in 2013 requesting they outline their plans to improve safety and manufacturing standards. They also introduced the Dietary Supplement Labeling Act of 2013 and have urged the FDA to request the agency adopt stronger regulatory capabilities.