The Natural Products Association (NPA), Washington, D.C., anticipates FDA’s new dietary ingredients (NDI) guidance will clarify the agency’s expectations about marketing these products.

Cara Welch, PhD, vice president of Scientific and Regulatory Affairs, NPA, welcomed the guidance. “The Natural Products Association thanks Senators Orrin Hatch and Tom Harkin for their letter to the FDA commissioner expressing their support for the upcoming NDI guidance and reminding the FDA that Congress will be closely watching how this affects industry and consumers. We too welcome this guidance.”

She went to say that NPA expects the guidance, scheduled to be released by July 5, will offer clarity to dietary supplement manufacturers and consumers on the FDA’s expectations regarding the marketing of new dietary ingredients.

“It’s important for the industry to know FDA’s thinking in this area to ensure that our members can continue to provide products made from ingredients on the market prior to the passage of DSHEA,” she said. “This was and remains Congress’s clear intent.”

NPA is doing its part to educate the industry and will host a webinar conference call for members and the industry on July 8: “NDI Guidance: What You Need to Know.”

Speakers will be the director of the FDA’s Division of Dietary Supplement Programs; the head of the Global Life Sciences Team at Sidley Austin LLP, who was also a major contributor to the drafting of DSHEA; and an NPA expert who specializes in regulatory, safety, nutrition and health issues.

The speakers plan to discuss the guidance and the potential impact on the industry, according to NPA

“NPA will continue to provide educational resources about the NDI guidance for the industry and our members,” said Ms. Welch. For further information about the webinar: www.npainfo.org/events.