Letters Editor
US News & World Report
Editorial Offices
1050 Thomas Jefferson Street, NW
Washington, DC 20007-3837

Dear Sir or Madam:

Credible scientific research has clearly demonstrated the health enhancing values of vitamins, minerals, and herbal products in reducing the risk of disease and improving the quality of life. Readers of the February 12 U.S. News & World Report’s cover story "Natural Hazards" would never grasp the value of dietary supplements from this story.

Contrary to the article’s portrayal, there is a considerable body of federal law and regulation which govern the entire dietary supplement industry, including every product mentioned in the article. These laws protect consumers from false and unsubstantiated claims and prevent unsafe products from ever reaching the marketplace.

Lack of regulations is not an issue; however, a lack of enforcement by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is a serious impediment to differentiating responsible companies from a few bad actors. Manufacturers that tout products to cure, treat, or mitigate disease could be and should be reeled in immediately. Likewise, products that contain illegal or unsafe ingredients can and should be removed swiftly by FDA. Finally, unsubstantiated claims and inappropriate labels can and should be pursued aggressively by both the FDA and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

The industry bears the responsibility to manufacture safe products to proper specifications under sanitary conditions. FDA and FTC bear the responsibility to enforce the laws promptly and fairly. Consumers also bear a responsibility to read the labels and to use the products wisely in accordance with stated directions. Thus, a regulatory system with manufacturers, regulators, and consumers sharing responsibility should go a long way toward eliminating the kinds of examples described in the U.S. News & World Report story.

Sincerely,