The Natural Products Association (NPA), Washington, D.C., has launched a grassroots campaign to oppose the “Dietary Supplement Labeling Act” recently introduced in Congress by Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL).

NPA is urging its more than 1900 members to ask their legislators to oppose the legislation by sending them a letter at www.npainfo.org/Durbin.

Among other provisions, the bill would direct the Department of Health and Human Services (presumably the FDA) to create a list of ingredients and proprietary blends of ingredients that “could cause potentially serious adverse events.” According to NPA, this overly broad language (no definition is offered of “could cause,” for example) takes the regulation of supplements well beyond the current, effective rules governing the industry.

Senator Durbin cited the issue of energy drinks and foods masquerading as dietary supplements when introducing the legislation. “The NPA supports actions by the FDA to hold accountable those who violate the law, and we’ve done our part through self-regulatory activities to ensure accuracy, quality and safety in the dietary supplement industry,” said John Gay, NPA executive director and CEO. “We believe, however, that current regulations are sufficient. The U.S. supplement industry has an excellent safety record, and burdensome, duplicative new regulations are not needed.”

“It may appear that this proposal has an uphill climb in this Congress,” he added, “but it is important that we do not let bad bills get any traction. If we do not make our position known, we could find ourselves facing a bill with 30 co-sponsors.” Gay added, “Things change in Congress, and when and if this bill moves we want it to start from the one yard line, not from the 50.”