WASHINGTON – Today, the Natural Products Association (NPA) called the passage of a California bill to restrict access to dietary supplements a slap in the face to public health and consumer choice.
The California bill, AB 1341, restricts access to dietary supplements and in certain situations requires a prescription to access these health products. While the bill is silent on regulating online sales of dietary supplements in California, it requires brick and mortar retailers to post a warning sign at each purchase counter communicating that dietary supplements are known to cause serious adverse events, including stroke, organ failure, and even death. Failure to comply with this legislation would result in a fine of up to $1,000 for each infraction. Additionally, the legislative analysis provided to senators highlighted ingredients including vitamin D and calcium as potentially harmful.
“This is a slap in the face to public health and consumer choice,” said Daniel Fabricant, Ph.D. president and CEO of the Natural Products Association. “The FDA does not have a single data point that connects eating disorders to supplement use and 80% of Americans take at least one dietary supplement as a safe, effective, and affordable way to maintain good health and augment inadequate diets. Yet, California lawmakers do not believe Californians are capable of making health choices for themselves. We are urging Governor Newsom to follow the science and data provided by the FDA and veto this draconian piece of legislation.”
NPA has led the fight as the only trade organization fighting against AB 1341 and has been fighting against this proposal and similar ones in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Missouri, and Rhode Island. NPA is also engaging its grassroots network and urging the industry to join the thousands of Californians to contact Governor Newsom and warn him of the consequences of this legislation. NPA’s grassroots campaign can be viewed here.
