Vitamins: Finally you’ll get what it says on the label

Health consumers in the USA should be able to get what’s on the label, starting from tomorrow (August 24).

That’s the day when a new Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ruling comes into effect that will ensure health products, such as supplements, are free from contamination and impurities.

The new measures will also give inspectors powers to police products to ensure that they contain what they claim on the label, including the levels of active ingredients.

Most welcome the new ruling, and some reckon it doesn’t go far enough in protecting the consumer.

Consumer group Consumers’ Union spokesperson Janell Mayo Duncan said: “Consumers still have no idea if a given product works, or whether it is dangerous.”

Even so, the ruling won’t change things overnight.  There will be a three-year phase-in period that will give smaller manufacturers more time to comply, and even the largest companies won’t have to fully  comply until June next year, although many say they already meet the new requirements.

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