Most of the public is not aware of the new regulations that have come out recently on dietary supplements. Last summer, FDA released a set of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for health foods. FDA took years crafting the GMP and for the most part they are pretty balanced in protecting the consumer and holding manufacturers accountable. The regulations take effect in 1-3 years, depending on the size of the company.
However, one aspect of the GMP stands to severely reduce the choices of the consumer. The GMP require that all batches (or a statistical subset thereof) of finished products be tested to prove that the product matches its supplement facts panel. The intention is good. But practically speaking consumers could see the price of many Multi-Vitamin products rise by $10-12 per bottle or more.
I would rather have seen FDA allow those manufacturers who have no history of fraudulent products to prove the supplement facts panel is correct based on batch records documenting input rather than expensive lab tests.
In 1994, Congress loosened the regulations on supplements and that is why the industry has grown so much in the last 14 years, creating jobs and tax revenue along the way. It is unfortunate that some people in DC see a prosperous industry as a ripe target for more regulation.
Just thought I would pass this on. This was a big deal in the industry but received no media coverage. I suppose it might when consumers realize what it is going to mean. The biggest impact will begin in Summer 2010 when companies with 20-499 employees have to begin complying.
I can't imagine that anyone who isn't already aware of this would actually want to read the final rule
but here is the link to FDA's site:
Federal Register - 72 FR 34751 June 25, 2007: Current Good Manufacturing Practice in Manufacturing, Packaging, Labeling, or Holding Operations for Dietary Supplements; Final Rule (http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/%7Elrd/fr07625a.html - broken link)