Congressional Dietary Supplement Caucus hosts luncheon celebrating DSHEA

WASHINGTON — The Congressional Dietary Supplement Caucus hosted an educational briefing and luncheon for congressional staffers on Oct. 14, the day before the 20th anniversary of the passage of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act. Congressional staffers learned the history and impact of the comprehensive law that created the modern dietary supplement industry and in the process ensured continued consumer access to a wide range of safe and regulated nutritional products. 

 

When signed into law by President Bill Clinton on Oct. 25, 1994, DSHEA crystalized Congress’ intent to officially recognize the role supplements can play in health promotion and in the prevention of chronic diseases, such as heart disease and osteoporosis. The legislation, for the first time, defined supplements as a distinct category of food products, established a new regulatory framework and created a mechanism for dealing with safety issues, regulated health claims and labeling. 

 

In addition, DSHEA provided for good manufacturing practices and established new government entities to review the regulations and to encourage research on dietary supplements. 

 

Twenty years later, the supplement industry, fueled by consumers’ continued interest in enhancing their health and wellbeing, has grown from around $4 billion in sales to $35 billion, with more than 150 million Americans taking dietary supplements annually.

 

The briefing was led by Scott Bass, a partner at Sidley and Austin, who was one of the lead industry negotiators with Congress and the Food and Drug Administration during the drafting of DSHEA; and Patricia Knight, founder of Knight Capitol Consultants. Knight was the chief of staff for DSHEA co-sponsor Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and was one of the lead staffers responsible for drafting and the passage of DSHEA.

 

The Congressional Dietary Supplement Caucus hosts educational briefings throughout the year in cooperation with the leading trade associations representing the dietary supplement industry — the American Herbal Products Association, the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, the Council for Responsible Nutrition, the Natural Products Association and the United Natural Products Alliance.