We are all aware of the information in the news media recently about companies selling herbal supplements in New York State that contained contaminants and that many contained none of the herbs that were listed in the labels. This report from Beth Clay of the JLH Project gives us more insights into the situation:
Dietary Supplements Under Attack Again: New York’s Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman, (NYAG) launched what the Council for Responsible Nutrition has termed a sting operation and publicity stunt on dietary supplement major retail outlets – Target, GNC, Walgreen’s and Wal-Mart. The NYAG claims to have conducted independent DNA barcode testing on top selling products purchased at these outlets and further claims that the herbs listed on the labels were not found in the products. Subpoenas and cease and desist letters were issued after he publicized his findings. What the NYAG has not done is release the findings for his independent evaluation.
Numerous botanical experts have stated that the testing method the NYAG states was used is in fact invalid for using on finished botanical products. Many industry officials are concerned because this state legal activity, which of course got national media attention, is short on facts. There was a failure on the NYAG’s part to release information confirming whether the amounts of supposed contaminants such as gluten, beans, and rice were trace, minute, or in amounts that exceeded the federal limits. The New York Times has published the cease and desist letters sent to companies at http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/02/02/health/herbal_supplement_letters.html
Quality Assurance is required under federal FDA cGMP guidelines as stipulated in federal law. If companies are marketing adulterated products, including products that do not contain the herbs on the label, then the NYAG is well within his purview to request these products not be sold in his state. Until and unless there is sunlight in the process, and the data is released for review, we cannot be sure whether the NYAG’s actions are justified, or simply a publicity stunt, setting the stage for legislators to attempt a challenge to the existing federal laws on dietary supplements.
If you have questions about the type of testing used by the companies you buy your dietary supplement products from, reach out and ask the company to explain how they meet federal quality control guidelines. There are validated testing methods used by the industry. {Nature’s Sunshine Products Stands Behind its 42-Year Commitment to Quality}