VIRGO Releases Results from SupplySide MarketPlace Compliance Program

PHOENIXVIRGO today announced  the results of its SupplySide Compliance Program from SupplySide MarketPlace 2013. Nearly 96 percent of the shows exhibitors were in compliance upon inspection. Herbal ingredient manufacturers making drug-related claims were the most prevalent cited for noncompliance. Noncompliant herbal ingredient claims included references to blood pressure, blood lipid and blood cholesterol reduction, anti-microbial statements, and the prevention and/or treatment of disease claims, especially for cancer.

"We created SupplySide Compliance Program to help manufacturers ensure consumer safety," said Jon Benninger, vice president of VIRGO's SupplySide Health & Nutrition Network.

The SupplySide Compliance Program team brought each compliance concern to the attention of the exhibitor, and as a result, incompliant items were removed or covered with white tape.

"Through this program, we take a proactive role to ensure the ingredients sold and the claims made about those ingredients are in compliance with U.S. regulations," Benninger added. "This program has been put in place to protect the integrity of the industry and our exhibitors, and to ensure a positive experience for our attendees."

The SupplySide MarketPlace 2013 opening day featured speaker, Daniel Fabricant, Ph.D., director of FDAs Division of Dietary Supplement Programs, reinforced the program's efforts. In his presentation, Fabricant reported that in fiscal year 2013 (which culminated on March 3), 42 warning and eight untitled action letters were issued under PAC 21008/21008A.

According to Fabricant, kratom, a botanical that triggers a strong opiate behavior, and food and beverages enhanced with caffeine are two current focuses for FDA. In addition, Fabricant noted that not submitting adverse event reports (AERs) to FDA after a customer complaint doesnt make a product safe; however, it does make the company noncompliant with the law. Fabricant also discussed the serious issue of economically motivated adulteration (EMA), where companies will spike products will illegal and potentially harmful ingredients to increase profits. FDA has identified several ingredients that are susceptible to EMA, including black cohosh, pigments like bilberry, saw palmetto, ginseng, gelatin, glucosamine, chondroitin and stevia. A DVD recording of Fabricant's presentation is expected for release soon, and can be pre-purchased for $79 at the SupplySide Store.

The next implementation of the SupplySide Compliance Program is SupplySide West 2013, which will take place Nov. 12 to 16 at The Venetian & Sands Expo in Las Vegas. The program, which is conducted in conjunction with the Natural Products Foundation (NPF) and the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), provides tools to gain a greater understanding of some of the most common compliance issues within the natural products industry and help support self-regulatory efforts. The volunteer team consists of members of NPF, CRN and VIRGO's SupplySide Health & Nutrition Network. Through the program, the team provides compliance monitoring during SupplySide MarketPlace and SupplySide West, enforcement where necessary, and education resources before, during and after the show. With these tools, the Program aims to provide an environment that promotes innovation and growth within the healthy ingredients industry. Rules for Compliance and more information about the SupplySide Compliance Program can be found on west.supplysideshow.com/compliance.aspx.