Senator Asks New FDA Commish to Go After Criminals Plaguing Supplement Industry

Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-New Mexico) sent a letter on March 10 to newly appointed FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, M.D., calling for increased enforcement in the dietary supplement market and the removal of criminal bad actors causing trouble for the reputable supplement industry.

“I respectfully ask that you take steps to raise the visibility and enforcement of dietary supplement safety and compliance measures available to the FDA," the senator wrote, noting the significance of such efforts given the tremendous growth of the supplement industry over the past 20 years.  “Specifically, I urge the FDA implement all existing legal authorities to prevent criminals from marketing and manufacturing products that masquerade as dietary supplements. By selling adulterated products under the guise of dietary supplements, these bad actors erode consumer trust in legitimate products and tarnish the credibility of reputable industry members. Consumers deserve to have confidence that their dietary supplements contain legal ingredients properly disclosed on the label."

Heinrich further expressed his hope Califf will guide FDA to fully utilize the newly elevated Office of Dietary Supplement Programs to exercise all authorities under DSHEA (Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act) to regulate the “vital" supplement industry.

“I supported the creation of this newly elevated office to ensure that FDA had the ability to use all available tools to appropriately curb and deter adulteration and misbranding of dietary supplements," he said.

In closing the letter, which also congratulated Califf on his new position, Heinrich asked the commissioner to “deploy forward-thinking regulatory and enforcement strategy to protect the integrity of the products enjoyed by millions of Americans."