FDA Warning Letters for Dietary Supplements Database Made Available to Public
Recently, the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) released a comprehensive online resource for consumers. This resource, allows the public to quickly and easily access FDA Warning Letters that have been sent out to dietary supplement companies in violation of regulations set forth by the FDA (http://www.crnusa.org/FDAWLDB/form.html). While the FDA is an agency within the United States Department of Health & Human Services, the dietary supplements regulated by them are marketed globally. The implications run beyond all borders, and thus this new CRN driven online tool is of great value to invested and concerned consumers from all over the world.
The CRN is a prominent trade association that represents manufacturers and suppliers of dietary supplements and functional foods. Like the FDA, the CRN is based in the U.S. but theoretically helps set the tone for regulatory compliance of dietary supplements on a more global scale. These supplements, are directly relevant to consumers, considering the fact that the brands addressed by the CRN are found in local and national grocery stores, pharmacies, natural food retailers, and other sources where consumers can order items online. The mainstream nature of these natural products has created the necessity of organizations such as the CRN. To date, they represent over one-hundred manufacturers and suppliers, ensuring that members comply with quality control regulations and relevant ethical checks and balances. The new CRN tool providing access to related FDA Warning Letters puts a much needed public face on these manufacturers/suppliers, and their products. Read further to learn more about this database, including an answer to the question – is it enough?