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CNN Sunday Morning

FDA to Verify Dietary Supplements Makers' Claims

Aired December 22, 2002 - 09:15   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Last year, Americans spent more than $17 billion on dietary supplements, hoping to stay healthy. As CNN's Christy Feig says, now you'll know just what you're getting.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRISTY FEIG, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): You're not necessarily shopping to reduce your cholesterol or your risk of colon cancer when you buy your groceries, but the FDA is launching a program to help you do just that.

DR. MARK MCCLELLAN, FDA, COMMISSIONER: Food choices affect health outcomes and consumers need to have the latest, most up to date scientific information in making their food choices.

FEIG: Within the next two months, the FDA will sign off on health claims supported by scientific research, and allow them to appear on more food and dietary supplement labels. Critics of dietary supplements say because they aren't regulated like drugs, that until now there's been no guarantee what the label says is in there, is actually there.

Now the company that tests the quality of drugs for the FDA has created an independent testing program and a seal, just for dietary supplements. It means they're certifying that what the label says is true.

JOHN FOWLER, U.S. PHARMACOPOEIA: We have tested the product to verify, again, that the ingredients are there and harmful contaminants are not in the product.

FEIG: The industry backs their products, but says more information is fine.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is an extra step for particular companies to take to kind of put a flag up for consumers, to say that this is a high-quality product, if you're not sure which one to buy.

FEIG: Whether it's food or dietary supplements, experts say the goal of both programs is to make you a more educated and healthier shopper.

In Washington, I'm Christy Feig.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com






Aired December 22, 2002 - 09:15   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Last year, Americans spent more than $17 billion on dietary supplements, hoping to stay healthy. As CNN's Christy Feig says, now you'll know just what you're getting.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRISTY FEIG, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): You're not necessarily shopping to reduce your cholesterol or your risk of colon cancer when you buy your groceries, but the FDA is launching a program to help you do just that.

DR. MARK MCCLELLAN, FDA, COMMISSIONER: Food choices affect health outcomes and consumers need to have the latest, most up to date scientific information in making their food choices.

FEIG: Within the next two months, the FDA will sign off on health claims supported by scientific research, and allow them to appear on more food and dietary supplement labels. Critics of dietary supplements say because they aren't regulated like drugs, that until now there's been no guarantee what the label says is in there, is actually there.

Now the company that tests the quality of drugs for the FDA has created an independent testing program and a seal, just for dietary supplements. It means they're certifying that what the label says is true.

JOHN FOWLER, U.S. PHARMACOPOEIA: We have tested the product to verify, again, that the ingredients are there and harmful contaminants are not in the product.

FEIG: The industry backs their products, but says more information is fine.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is an extra step for particular companies to take to kind of put a flag up for consumers, to say that this is a high-quality product, if you're not sure which one to buy.

FEIG: Whether it's food or dietary supplements, experts say the goal of both programs is to make you a more educated and healthier shopper.

In Washington, I'm Christy Feig.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com