NPA Sets the Record Straight with Dateline NBC

Dear NPA members: 

“Dateline NBC” plans to air a story about the dietary supplement industry this Sunday, March 18, at 7 p.m. Eastern. Our understanding is that it will focus on the issue of �dry labbing,� which involves laboratories that seem to have all the right equipment to do the proper testing of dietary supplements but do not actually conduct any testing, yet issue fabricated reports on the submitted products. Dry labbing is part of the larger issue of dietary supplement adulteration and label accuracy.

The Natural Products Association, as the leading representative of the dietary supplement industry, has taken several proactive steps in response to Dateline NBC�s story.

First, here are key points you can share with any customers who may be concerned about dietary supplements after viewing the program:

• Products that contain undeclared drug ingredients are illegal drugs, notdietary supplements.
• Selling products that contain illegal substances is a crime. Those products have no place in the legitimate marketplace.
• We support government action against any laboratories that use improper testing methods.
• Consumers can trust what they read on the labels of dietary supplements. We strongly support efforts to make sure that products contain what the labels claim and are not contaminated.
• Dietary supplements have an excellent safety record. They help millions of Americans address nutritional deficiencies and maintain and improve their health.

Second, NPA has submitted a statement to Dateline NBC that highlighted these and other important points (below). Dateline NBC has told us they will quote from the statement during the show. NPA was not given the opportunity to view the segment in advance.

Finally, NPA will release our full statement to Dateline NBC to the media Monday morning. We believe it is vitally important that consumers hear loud and clear the message that dietary supplements are both safe and beneficial for the health of millions.

This message will be posted on the NPA website and our social media channels for consumers, and will be distributed to you.

Thank you for your support and membership in NPA.

Sincerely,

Jeff Wright
President

NPA Statement about Dietary Supplements for Dateline NBC

The Natural Products Association (NPA) is the leading representative of the dietary supplement industry with over 1,900 members, including suppliers and retailers of vitamins and other dietary supplements. NPA President Jeff Wright comments on the regulation and safety of dietary supplements:

�Consumers can trust what they read on the labels of dietary supplements. We share the concern about the issue of ensuring that products contain what the label claims and are not contaminated. This issue is highlighted, from time to time, in most consumer products industries, including foods, drugs and toys.�

�The Natural Products Association supports the goal of superior quality within our industry, other industries and the government. Fortunately, consumers are smart enough to understand that a few or occasional lapses in quality assurance should not translate into suspicion of an entire category of products, especially one with a strong history of safety. Otherwise, people may not eat eggs, spinach, tomatoes or pistachios today.�

�NPA has long supported government and industry actions to both produce dietary supplements according to good manufacturing practices and eliminate drugs wrongly labeled as supplements. Products that contain undeclared drug ingredients are not dietary supplements. These products are illegal drugs, and they have no place in the legitimate marketplace.�

�Selling products that contain illegal substances is a crime. Anyone who manufactures or sells these illegal products intentionally should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.�

�NPA has been steadfast in its support for increased resources for the Food and Drug Administration. We also support government action against any laboratories that may use improper testing methods. We fully support strong rules to make sure that what�s on the label is what�s in the bottle. NPA has been a leader in industry efforts to attain this goal through our TruLabel and GMP certification programs.�

�It�s important to note that dietary supplements help millions of Americans address nutritional deficiencies and maintain and improve their health. NPA provides information about the regulation, safety and benefits of supplements online at NPAinfo.org/consumers.�