Unusual Supplement Adverse Events Could Be 'Canary' Of Problem

Post-market surveillance system for dietary supplements should contain a process for identifying sentinel events, or low-incidence and unusual adverse events that can indicate big problems, says a toxicologist speaking during a recent Council for Responsible Nutrition webinar.

Post-market surveillance for a dietary supplement should include identifying “sentinel" adverse events, low-incidence or unusual reports that can signal major issues such as bacterial contamination or formula counterfeiting, according to toxicologist and industry consultant Rick Kingston.

“Sentinel events are essentially the canary in the coal mine,” said Kingston during a recent Council for Responsible Nutrition webinar.