Blumenthal, Durbin Statement on New Study Highlighting Dangers Posed by Ineffective Regulation of Supplement Industry

(Washington, DC) – Today, Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) released the following statement on a new study that highlights the ineffective regulation of the supplement industry and dangers posed to consumers:

“Self-regulation is not regulation. The current mix of toothless self-regulation and FDA’s limited oversight are insufficient to keep these kinds of potentially dangerous and life-threatening products off of shelves until they are proven to be safe. The FDA needs to have clearer regulations governing food additives, GRAS substances, and new dietary ingredients, which is why we are working on legislation in this area. This latest research shows that the lack of clarity in the regulatory status of food and dietary ingredients has created unnecessary confusion for consumers and manufacturers, effectively harming both, and putting individual health and safety at risk. Consumers need better enforcement mechanisms to make sure that ingredients in dietary supplements are known, pure, and used at levels that are safe.”