On March 7th, 2003, the FDA proposed labeling and manufacturing standards for all dietary supplements. Under the cGMP (Current Good Manufacturing Practices) proposal, manufacturers would be required to evaluate the identity, purity, quality, strength and composition of their dietary ingredients and dietary supplements.

If dietary supplements contain contaminants or do not contain the dietary ingredient they are represented to contain, FDA would consider those products to be adulterated. See the FDA news release at www.fda.gov/bbs/ topics/NEWS/2003/NEW00876.html.

One editorial response can be seen at:www.npicenter.com/index.asp?action=NBViewDoc&DocumentID=4158