Ephedrine Regulation Bill Vetoed

Ephedrine Regulation Bill Vetoed 

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--On Sept. 29, a California bill that would regulate the sale, labeling and distribution of products containing ephedrine--including ephedra dietary supplements--was vetoed. Governor Gray Davis vetoed Bill 2294, a proposal modeling regulations already in effect in Texas. The bill was first introduced by Assemblywoman Susan Davis, a democrat representing portions of San Diego. 

In the message accompanying the veto, Davis stated that "this is a matter of interstate commerce and clearly the responsibility of Congress to regulate, which they have thus far neglected to do."

Susan Haeger, president and chief executive officer of Citizens for Health, felt that the governor's veto showed that not only was his decision farsighted, it also stopped it from becoming a political issue. "It's time for the Food and Drug Administration to stop investigating [ephedrine] and put safeguards in place as a federally mandated regulation," Haeger said. "That's what the industry is lacking and that's why these states are taking action."

The National and Nutritional Foods Association's executive director, DavidSeckman, concurred. This veto, according to Seckman, showcases the need for a national policy that will give consumers access to "responsibly formulated and labeled ephedra dietary supplement products." For more information, visit www.leginfo.ca.gov.