What Are States Role In Regulating Dietary Supplements?

First Posted: Sep 24, 2014 02:14 PM EDT
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Recent findings published in the Journal of Public Health Management & Practice discuss the oftentimes lax regulation on dietary supplements that can lead to severe health issues, sometimes including death.

"The market for dietary supplements in the United States has grown to a $32-billion-a-year industry, with more than half of adults reporting regular use," noted researchers from Temple University, Harvard University, University of Rhode Island and Boston Children's Hospital, in a news release. "However, these products are not recommended by physicians, and most are not effective to accomplish the promised results. Rather, many of these products are adulterated, mislabeled, or have unclear dosing recommendations."

Though the federal government has a regulatory regime for these dietary supplements, it really does not protect the consumer from health hazards.

For the study, researchers decided to examine the resources available via state government to address the dangers posed by dietary supplements to protect consumers, particularly adolescents, from using them.

"State attorneys general have the authority to protect consumers in their states, and they need to begin imposing that authority on the marketing efforts of these dangerous dietary supplements, especially as it relates to their use by adolescents," researchers added. 

By conducting laboratory testing, general safety warnings and educational materials, as well as banning particularly dangerous products and enacting taxes, researchers hope to promote practices that push manufacturers, retailers and pharmacies to engage in self-regulation of products that protect their customers for danger. 

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