FDA updates supplements ingredient directory to reflect stakeholder feedback

21-Feb-2024 - Last updated on 22-Feb-2024 at 00:35 GMT

Related tags Dietary supplements Dietary ingredients Fda

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has renamed its Dietary Supplement Ingredient Directory and added classification categories following “some constructive stakeholder feedback”.

In a constituent update published on Feb. 21, the FDA noted that the webpage for its directory is now called “Information on Select Dietary Supplement Ingredients and Other Substances”. The list includes 79 entries, a significant increase from the 27 ingredients that were included when the directory was first announced in March 2023.

“These changes are the result of some constructive stakeholder feedback received since we initially published the directory,” the Agency explained. “In addition to the new title, the directory updates include adding categories to classify the type of FDA action or communication for each listed ingredient; recording the date each listed ingredient was added to the directory; and streamlining the introductory text on the page.”

Four dietary supplement trade associations—the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA), the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA), the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) and the United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA)—wrote a letter to Dr. Cara Welch, director of FDA’s Office of Dietary Supplement Programs, in August 2023 outlining many of their concerns with how the original directory was presented.

The letter also suggested numerous ways to better categorize the ingredients listed to clearly differentiate the focus of FDA’s attention on each listed ingredient.

The FDA has now updated the directory to reflect many of the suggestions from the trade associations.

"CRN is encouraged the FDA listened to the trade associations when we requested in August of last year that the supplement directory be renamed and improved," Steve Mister, president & CEO at CRN, told NutraIngredients-USA. "The subsequent enhancements FDA has implemented are important first steps toward providing consumers with more accurate information about the listed ingredients and why they are on the list.

“We appreciate the Agency’s responsiveness and identification that this directory is not exhaustive but that it also comprises FDA communications for a whole range of topics. CRN will continue to dialogue with FDA on ways to help consumers obtain accurate information about the products they see marketed as dietary supplements."

Concerns and recommendations

Loren Israelsen, UNPA’s founder and president, told us: “Today's constituent update confirms that FDA listened, responded and improved this resource, very much along the lines of our joint letter to them. Our thanks to Dr. Cara Welch and her staff for their responsiveness and openness to stakeholder input.

“While our respective members may not see the frequency of communication between the associations, there are active, ongoing discussions, joint effort initiatives and monthly meetings to exchange information and coordinate actions where possible—all in the interest of defending and advancing the interests of the dietary supplement industry before Congress, the FDA, the states and our consumers,” Israelsen added.

The FDA's Information on Select Dietary Supplement Ingredients and Other Substances can be accessed HERE.