Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the dietary supplement industry — how it's regulated, how to evaluate safety, and what the research shows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are dietary supplements regulated by the FDA?
Yes, but differently than drugs. Under DSHEA (1994), supplements are regulated as food, not drugs. They don't require pre-market approval. Manufacturers must follow cGMP rules, can't make disease claims, and must report serious adverse events. However, fewer than 3% of supplement facilities are inspected in any given year.
How do I know if a supplement is safe?
Look for USP Verified, NSF International, or ConsumerLab certifications. These organizations independently test for identity, potency, contaminants, and label accuracy. Also check the FDA's tainted supplements database for warnings about specific products.
Why don't supplements have to prove they work before being sold?
DSHEA classified supplements as food, not drugs. For drugs, manufacturers must prove safety and efficacy through clinical trials. For supplements, the FDA must prove a product is unsafe after it's already on sale. Whether this adequately protects consumers is an ongoing debate.
What's a structure/function claim vs. a disease claim?
Structure/function claims describe how a supplement affects body function: "supports immune health" or "promotes joint comfort." These are allowed without FDA approval. Disease claims — "treats arthritis" or "prevents cancer" — are prohibited. A product making disease claims is legally an unapproved drug.
What are the most common supplement recalls?
Undeclared pharmaceutical ingredients — prescription drugs hidden in "natural" products. Sexual enhancement products are the most tainted category (46%), followed by weight loss (35%) and muscle building (12%). The FDA has identified over 1,000 tainted products since 2007.
Where can I find product reviews and recommendations?
Our sister site The Supplement Guide provides independent reviews across 12 supplement categories — including men's health, sports nutrition, anti-aging, heart health, and more. Supplement News focuses on industry coverage; The Supplement Guide focuses on product evaluation.
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