Dietary Supplements: A Review of United States Regulation with Emphasis on the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 and Subsequent Activity

Abstract

This paper undertakes a review of notable dietary supplement regulation in the United States. First, this paper discusses dietary supplements generally and their uses and economic characteristics. Second, this paper discusses a brief general history of dietary supplement regulation in the United States including the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (“DSHEAâ€). Emphasis is placed on the DSHEA and notable post-DSHEA governance in the form of Food and Drug Administration regulations, congressional activity, and other administrative and industry action. Finally, this paper proposes how the United States, both through government regulation and industry self-regulation, should proceed to handle dietary supplements in 2004 and beyond.