SSCI Offers Benchmarks As Gatekeepers For Supplements To Reach Retail Shelves

FDA’s GMP final rule set uniform standards to ensure quality throughout manufacturing, packaging, labeling and holding of supplements, but Supplement Safety and Compliance Initiative says manufacturing practices continue to vary widely across the industry and the agency cannot inspect every facility. “FDA can’t solve all our problems. I don’t know if FDA knows the number of facilities it needs to inspect to ensure consumer confidence," says Daniel Fabricant, president of SSCI member NPA.

Retailers including [Wal-Mart Stores Inc.], Whole Foods Market Inc. and [GNC Holdings Inc.] along with the Natural Products Association have published draft benchmarks to promote “end-to-end” transparency in the dietary supplement supply chain.

FDA’s good manufacturing practices 2007 final rule set uniform standards to ensure quality throughout vitamin, mineral and supplement product manufacturing,...