Consumer Education

Many private organizations have tried to fill the gap in consumer education and quality assurance since the DSHEA was passed. Most compile research on safety and efficacy for patient and physician education. The Dietary Supplement Verification Program, accepts voluntary submission of products by manufacturers and awards a U.S. Pharmacopeia National Formulary certification if the product contains the ingredients stated on the label, has the declared amount of ingredients, has been screened for harmful contaminants, and has been manufactured by safe sanitary and well-controlled procedures. Although being awarded this certificate means that a product is manufactured consistently from batch to batch and is not contaminated, it does not ensure that the product is safe or useful.