At a time when millions of Americans rely on dietary supplements to support their health and wellness, Congress should be focused on policies that protect consumer access, choice and innovation. Unfortunately, Sen. Dick Durbin’s reintroduction of the Dietary Supplement Listing Act misses the mark.
Why this bill is wrong for consumers
While the bill is promoted as a commonsense measure to improve supplement safety, at Citizens for Health we believe it would place unnecessary burdens on responsible manufacturers without meaningfully improving quality or consumer protection. Worse, if enacted, it risks limiting consumer choice and reducing access to affordable dietary supplements.
The Dietary Supplement Listing Act would require supplement manufacturers to register their products with the FDA before they can be marketed. On the surface, this may sound reasonable. In practice, however, it creates another regulatory hurdle for an industry already governed by extensive federal requirements.
Commonsense regulation already exists
Dietary supplements are regulated under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), which gives the FDA enforcement authority to act against unsafe or misbranded products. The problem is not a lack of authority, but inconsistent enforcement of existing law. Adding a new registration mandate does not fix that issue.
Instead, it increases costs that will inevitably be passed on to consumers. For small and mid-sized supplement companies, especially those committed to higher quality standards, the burden could be overwhelming. Many may be forced to raise prices, reformulate products, or exit the market.
The result is fewer choices and higher costs for consumers who rely on supplements to support healthy lifestyles. Consumers focused on preventive wellness would be disproportionately affected.
The real meaning of the bill
The opposite of respecting consumers’ choice and providing additional safety measures, the bill favors large pharmaceutical interests and major contract manufacturers that can easily absorb new regulatory requirements. Smaller, independent brands that prioritize quality, transparency and innovation are at a disadvantage. This legislation tilts the playing field toward corporate consolidation and discourages responsible entrepreneurship across the natural health sector.
It is also important to recognize that consumer trust in supplements is built through education, transparency and accountability, not additional bureaucracy. Policies should empower regulators to target bad actors directly while allowing responsible companies to continue serving consumers without unnecessary barriers or delays.
Despite its promises, the bill does not meaningfully improve supplement safety or quality. Product listing does not ensure ingredient integrity, good manufacturing practices, or truthful labeling. True safety comes from enforcement, accountability and informed consumers.
Help preserve access to healthy supplements
Consumers deserve policies that preserve access to safe, affordable supplements and respect personal health choice. Contact your U.S. senators and representatives today and tell them to oppose the Dietary Supplement Listing Act. Let them know you support consumer choice, affordable supplements, and a fair marketplace that values safety, quality, and innovation.
PLS LEAVE OUR SUPPLEMENTS ALONE!
WE DONT NEED MORE REGULATIONS WHICH WILL JUST END UP COSTING ALL MORE MONEY!