According to the Pew Research Center, many US consumers believe that the current regulatory authority of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn't adequately protect them. Read further to discover the potential impact of the FDA's proposed changes to the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) — and how it could impact your supplement business.
The FDCA Defines a Dietary Supplement and Proposes Changes to the Current Regulatory Landscape
The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) defines a dietary supplement as a non-tobacco product intended to supplement the diet. It can contain various ingredients, including vitamins, minerals, herbs, botanicals, and substances used to increase total dietary intake. However, dietary supplements generally cannot contain ingredients used in FDA-approved drugs or investigational new drugs.
Currently, the FDA's regulatory authority over dietary supplements is limited. The FDA can only monitor these products after they have entered the market. The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994 amended the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) and provided some regulations for dietary supplements. However, with the rapid growth of the dietary supplement market, the FDA seeks to expand its regulatory authority.
How Proposed Changes to DSHEA Could Impact Your Business
As a business involved in the supplement industry, the proposed changes to DSHEA could have a significant impact on your operations. Let's explore how these changes could affect various types of businesses.
E-commerce Marketplaces
If you operate an online marketplace that facilitates the sale of dietary supplements, it could become crucial for you to ensure that your sellers only offer supplements registered with the FDA.
Internet and Social Media Platforms
If you are a social media platform or an internet company that sells advertisements featuring supplements, the proposed changes to DSHEA could require you to ensure that your advertisers only promote FDA-registered supplements.
Merchants, Merchant Acquirers, and Payment Facilitators
If you are a merchant acquirer or payment service provider working with dietary supplement sellers, the modernization of DSHEA could necessitate vetting the supplements offered by your merchants to ensure FDA registration.
Download Our Comprehensive Guide to Discover How Proposed Changes Could Impact the Regulatory Landscape of Dietary Supplements
The proposed changes to DSHEA could have far-reaching implications for businesses in the supplement industry. As the FDA seeks to modernize its oversight and expand its regulatory authority, it's essential for businesses to stay informed and adapt. For a more comprehensive understanding of the proposed changes to DSHEA and their potential impact on your business, download our guide at the button below.
