Health Freedom Protection Act introduced

A bill has been introduced into the US House of Representatives which is designed to stop the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Federal Trade Commission from intervening in supplement labelling. The Health Freedom Protection Act could boost supplement sales as it will allow companies to link their supplements to scientifically proven medical benefits. If successful the bill would see the reversal of the FDA’s denial or restriction of the following nutrient–disease association claims: (i) saw palmetto treating benign prostatic hyperplasia; (ii) omega-3 fatty acids and coronary heart disease; (iii) omega-3 fatty acids and sudden death heart attacks; (iv) glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate treating osteoarthritis; and (v) calcium reducing the risk of bone fractures. A coalition of 50 companies supports the bill.

<http://www.medicalnewstoday.com>, accessed January 30, 2006