FDA raises profile of dietary supplement industry with creation of new office

SILVER SPRING, Md. - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is resolving to more closely regulate the dietary supplement industry in 2016 with the recent announcement of the creation of the Office of Dietary Supplement Programs. That development, heralded by industry trade associations, elevates the program from its previous status as a division under the Office of Nutrition Labeling and Dietary Supplements. 

 

Overall, the industry views the elevation of DDSP not only as a demonstration of the government’s commitment to eliminating the illegal activity and leveling the playing field for the responsible companies already following the law, but also as an important step for increasing consumer safety by cracking down on rogue manufacturers who sell illegal products. As stated in an earlier joint letter to HHS, “Such a move would aid in accomplishing FDA’s current and long-range goals related to dietary supplements,” stated five trade associations representing the dietary supplement industry, including 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. 

 

The FDA is presently in the process of identifying permanent leadership for ODSP. In the meantime, Bob Durkin continues to serve as acting office director.

 

In the 20 years since the establishment of the dietary supplement program, the industry has grown from about $6 billion to more than $35 billion in annual sales, FDA reported. Elevating the program’s position will raise the profile of dietary supplements within the agency, and will enhance the effectiveness of dietary supplement regulation by allowing ODSP to better compete for government resources and capabilities to regulate this rapidly expanding industry.

 

As a result of the transition, ODSP’s former parent office will now be known as the Office of Nutrition and Food Labeling, under the leadership of Doug Balentine, who joined FDA on Dec. 14, 2015. Balentine has a Ph.D. in food science and nutrition from Rutgers University. As the head of the Office of Nutrition and Food Labeling, Balentine will oversee the development of policy and regulations for nutrition labeling and food standards, infant formula and medical foods.