The supplement industry: questions of safety, adulteration, corruption

The supplement industry has been plagued by concerns over safety, adulteration, and corruption, largely due to the 1994 Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act, which effectively exempted supplements from FDA regulation, allowing manufacturers to operate with minimal oversight. As a result, the FDA is only empowered to intervene in cases of severe harm, leaving consumers vulnerable to inaccurate labeling and potential contamination. This regulatory vacuum has enabled the proliferation of adulterated and untested products, compromising public health and trust in the industry. The lack of accountability has also facilitated corruption, with some manufacturers engaging in deceptive practices to maximize profits.