01.04.13
The Dietary Supplement industry is facing increased scrutiny from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the mainstream media — remember Dateline NBC's March 2012 exposé of an alleged "dry lab" serving the dietary supplement industry? Since late 2011, the FDA has seized products and shut down several manufacturers for violations of 21 CFR 111 Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs). Federal courts are handing down hefty fines and contempt sentences to dietary supplement manufacturers and executives found to be willfully violating federal regulations. While many say this negative attention damages the industry's reputation, others argue it's actually good for the industry. By shining a light on the very few manufacturers who are willfully ignoring the law, reputable companies with robust quality management systems have a golden opportunity to differentiate themselves in the marketplace. If your company has embraced a culture of quality and is adhering to the current GMPs, now is the perfect time to talk publicly about it. You'll find plenty of consumers, retailers, media and legislators ready to listen.