Dispatches from SupplySide West

Three chiefs, GMPs, AERs and industry's ‘pretty choir’

03-Nov-2010 - In part two of this special interview with the heads of the major US dietary supplement trade groups, the three chiefs unpack the state of play for Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) along with adverse event reporting (AERs).

Disptaches from SupplySide West

Three industry chiefs discuss Capitol Hill elections and the McCain Bill

02-Nov-2010 - With mid-term elections on Capitol Hill imminent, the heads of the three biggest trade groups in the US met at SupplySide West in Las Vegas to discuss its implications for the dietary supplements industry.

Industry rallies against more FTC authority

24-May-2010 - The US dietary supplement industry is renewing campaigning efforts against a bill that could tighten legislation of their products by expanding the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) enforcement authority.

Health Care Bill challenged in Ohio court

12-May-2010 - The United States Citizens Association is challenging the Health Care Reform Bill for unconstitutionally forcing American citizens to purchase health care insurance.

Bigger role in preventative medicine for dietary supplements

13-Apr-2010 - Dietary supplements took a step closer to playing a key role in preventative medicine following a recent meeting in Washington DC between the Congressional Dietary Supplement Caucus, and the trade associations Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) and Natural Products Association.

How the Health Care Reform Bill affects industry

24-Mar-2010 - Industry groups are highlighting benefits that may flow to the dietary supplements and complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) sectors as a result of the landmark Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that has been passed by Congress.

NPA chief: Industry must remain vigilant after McCain Bill victory

16-Mar-2010 - John Gay, the executive director and CEO of the Washington DC-based Natural Product Association (NPA), commends industry for the lobbying effort that has led to Republican Senator John McCain agreeing to alter his highly unpopular Bill.

McCain 'revisiting' supplements reform Bill

08-Mar-2010 - Arizona Republican Senator, John McCain, has indicated he may withdraw support for the Bill he sponsored in February that would have severely amended the way the US dietary supplements industry is regulated.

Industry welcomes FDA claims crackdown

04-Mar-2010 - By issuing warning letters to 17 companies including Nestle and Pom Wonderful, the Food and Drug Administration yesterday demonstrated it had both the motivation and the muscle to remove misleading nutrition and health claims from the market, a move industry has welcomed.

Special edition: weight management

Regulation: Claim making and claim taking

22-Jan-2010 - In a world with a chronic ‘globesity’ problem spreading beyond western shores to places like India and China, products that promise to help individuals manage their weight via calorie control, fat burning, satiety, or some other mechanism, enjoy rampant demand.

Special edition: DSHEA turns 15

Blumenthal: On supplements regulations and outrunners

16-Dec-2009 - In part two of this DSHEA special, Mark Blumenthal, founder and executive director of the American Botanical Council, outlines why he believes DSHEA is a victim of the “erroneous negative view” that it limits the power of the FDA and can’t control rogue players.

Obama bill unlikely to alter medical stance on supplements

19-Nov-2009 - The Obama administration is pushing through health care reform that promises greater access to health insurance for tens of millions of Americans. Will the reforms bring benefits to the dietary supplements industry?

Vitamins can be useful, says FDA

02-Oct-2009 - The US Food and Drug Administration has advised consumers that certain vitamin supplements “can be useful”, stating that “there are many good reasons” to consider taking them.

FDA’s Hamburg to headline CRN conference

28-Sep-2009 - The commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Dr Margaret Hamburg, will address industry at CRN’s Annual Meeting next month.

Supplement defender Harkin takes US health chair

10-Sep-2009 - Long-time friend of the supplements industry Senator Tom Harkin will replace the late Edward Kennedy as head of the US Senate health committee.

FDA publishes details of warning letter overhaul

11-Aug-2009 - A notice detailing the new process for issuing warning letters to food companies that violate safety regulations has been published in the Federal Register, with the program due to begin on September 15.

Comment

FDA’s Commissioner Hamburg: Beefing up US food safety

10-Aug-2009 - It looks like the FDA has finally got some muscle. Never mind new legislation – if anything can prevent America acquiring a weedy reputation for food safety, it’s the might of Dr Margaret Hamburg.

FDA returning to pre-DSHEA diaspora, claims industry veteran

09-Jul-2009 - The re-appointment of Michael Taylor in a senior position at the US Food and Drug Administration may not bode well for the supplements industry, according to one of the trade groups.

Transparency meeting: What’s behind FDA enforcement, asks industry

24-Jun-2009 - Enforcement action by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is a key area where more open communication with industry is necessary, the agency will hear today during a public meeting on transparency.

Fee compromise eases US food safety bill to next stage

12-Jun-2009 - The bill designed to overhaul the failing US food safety system took a major step forward this week after a compromise over industry fees was reached.

FDA backs proposal for US industry fees to fund food inspections

04-Jun-2009 - A contentious proposal to compel US food manufacturers to contribute towards safety inspection costs took a step forward yesterday after the Food and Drug Administration signalled its backing for the idea.

Record FDA budget proposed as Hamburg clears Senate

12-May-2009 - Dr Margaret Hamburg, the Obama Administration’s pick to lead the FDA, easily cleared the Senate on Thursday, while the Administration proposed a record budget increase for the agency.

Obama nominates USDA nutrition and research undersecretaries

23-Apr-2009 - President Obama made two appointments within the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Friday, to run the department’s public nutrition programs, and to oversee US agricultural research and education.

Comment

Obama’s veg plots point the way to healthy eating and more

30-Mar-2009 - “If you don’t plan to plant a garden in Lake Wobegon in the spring, it means you plan to be planted yourself.”