Consumers should feel secure that dietary supplement manufacturers are responsible for ensuring a dietary supplement product is safe before it is marketed. The manufacturer must ensure that the Supplement Facts label and ingredient list are accurate, the ingredients are safe, and the content matches the amount declared on the label. Manufacturers of dietary supplements with new dietary ingredients (defined as a dietary ingredient that was not marketed in the U.S. before October 15, 1994) must provide FDA with the information used to conclude that the product containing the new dietary ingredient is reasonably expected to be safe.
It is important for consumers to find out as much as possible about a dietary supplement before they take it. While the Internet provides a great deal of helpful information, often times it is difficult for a consumer to discern whether the information is accurate or not. The basic rule of thumb is for consumers to remember that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
