Luden's Echinacea Throat Drops Are Not Dietary Supplements, FDA Says

FDA continues to hold the position that throat or cough drops cannot be classified as dietary supplements, according to a Nov. 4 "courtesy" letter to Hershey Foods recently made available by the agency. Luden's Throat Drops/Herbal Echinacea Supplement with echinacea, rose hips and vitamin C "does not appear to meet the statutory definition of a dietary supplement...and therefore, can not be marketed as a dietary supplement," FDA says (1see box, p. 8). Hershey launched the extension to the Luden's line in August (2see story, p. 6).