CBS Evening News to examine dietary supplements
Tonight on CBS is the first installment of a two part series examining the use of dietary supplements. I think those in the industry are a bit wary of such an “examination” and fear it will tout the big-pharma agenda - that supplements are harmful. It is especially important as it relates to the AER Bill recently signed by President Bush and the ongoing debate concerning Codex Alimentarius vitamin and mineral supplement global regulation.
When I heard the - If you or someone you know uses dietary supplements, you need to watch - tagline last night, I thought to myself: “Oh no, what are they up to?” I frantically searched the Internet this morning for some mention, but with no luck. Then I received an e-mail from the Natural Products Association (NPA) giving a bit more information. I’m going to go ahead and post it here in it’s entirety, as it is a very succinct summary. If anyone from the NPA takes issue with this, simply send me an e-mail and I will take it down immediately.
January 15, 2007
CBS News to Examine Dietary Supplements
Two-part series to begin tonight
Beginning tonight, CBS Evening News will begin a special two-part series on dietary supplements, which the network is referring to as the “great supplement debate.” The Natural Products Association has been in contact with CBS, providing balanced background information about dietary supplements, and has learned one of the catalysts for the series is a new book titled Natural Causes: Death, Lies and Politics in America’s Vitamin and Herbal Supplement Industry. The association alerted members in December of last year about the release of this book and the potential use of it by news media and others.
“Once again the entire industry is being brought under intense scrutiny by a news organization,” said David Seckman, executive director and CEO of the Natural Products Association. “Why? The phrase in the on-air promotion ‘If you or someone you know uses dietary supplements, you need to watch’ is a good indicator. With between 150 to 200 million adult users of dietary supplements, a story that casts doubt on their safety, efficacy and quality is sure to draw many curious viewers and potentially add to ratings.”
What can Natural Products Association members do? Be prepared to address questions from your customers arising from this program: Are dietary supplements safe? Do they work? Does the government regulate them? Here are few key messages to be ready to share with them:
Dietary supplements are well regulated. Both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission can and do take action when necessary to police the market place. The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 gave the U.S. Food and Drug Administration the power to ensure dietary supplements are safe, properly labeled and that the claims they make substantiated. And because of DSHEA, a new regulation addressing good manufacturing practices for dietary supplements that ensures their quality and purity will be soon be issued.
Dietary supplements have a great safety record, especially compared with other consumer goods, such as drugs and even other foods.
Dietary supplements do work, and every week more and more scientific research upholds this fact.
Members who want to respond directly to the CBS stories can use the Natural Products Association’s Web site advocacy center to send an e-mail message. You can also go to the CBS Evening News Web site and send your comments directly by going to Katie Couric’s blog.