The Natural Products Association (NPA) has issued a statement about recent concerns regarding multivitamin labeling and a report published by ConsumerLab.com, White Plains, NY.

John Gay, executive director and CEO, said: “ConsumerLab.com is a company whose business model has long raised questions about its results. The bottom line is that the supplement industry has a strong record of quality, one that is bolstered by extensive regulatory and self-regulatory efforts. 

“Now that the Food and Drug Administration has implemented the good manufacturing practices rule for companies of all sizes, manufacturing operations and quality measures must be in place to ensure that what is listed on the label is what is in the product. In addition, the Natural Products Association has long believed in strong self-regulatory efforts. NPA’s GMP certification, created in 1999 as the first third-party GMP certification program for the manufacturing of dietary supplements and ingredients, exceeds the standards set by the FDA. Nearly 70 companies have achieved certification.

“Is it any wonder that half of all Americans trust dietary supplements and use them as part of a healthy lifestyle? While consumers should check with their doctor before taking any supplements, they should rest assured that dietary supplements are both safe and fully regulated as a unique category of food under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act.

“For anyone with questions about supplements, the Natural Products Foundation, NPA’s research and education arm for consumers, maintains a Dietary Supplement Information Bureau at www.naturalproductsinfo.org.”