Sen. Hatch on dietary supplements

Senate approves (94-1) Hatch's (R-Utah) amendment for a one-year moratorium on including dietary supplements in upcoming FDA food health claims rules except those already approved as part of the food labeling/health claims law and regulations addressing the recommended daily allowance of vitamins and minerals. The amendment was added Sept. 18 to the HHS FY 1993 appropriations bill, which passed the Senate 82-13. Hatch may also try to add language on supplements to the FDA user fee bill (see related story, p. 5). He recently introduced a bill (S 2305) to prohibit FDA from regulating supplements solely on the basis of their potency or because labeling or advertising makes claims about potency or health benefits ("The Pink Sheet" June 29, T&G-12).