NPA: California Bill Restricting Supplement Access Should Be Vetoed

The Natural Products Association (NPA) has called the passage of a California bill to restrict access to dietary supplements a slap in the face to public health and consumer choice. The California bill, AB 1341, restricts access to dietary supplements and in certain situations requires a prescription to access these health products. While the bill does not mention regulating online sales of dietary supplements in California, it requires brick-and-mortar retailers to post a warning sign at each purchase counter communicating that dietary supplements are known to cause serious adverse events, including stroke, organ failure and even death. Failure to comply with this legislation would result in a fine of up to $1,000 for each infraction. Additionally, the legislative analysis provided to senators highlighted ingredients including vitamin D and calcium as potentially harmful, NPA said.

“This is a slap in the face to public health and consumer choice,” said Daniel Fabricant, PhD, NPA president and CEO. “The FDA does not have a single data point that connects eating disorders to supplement use and 80 percent of Americans take at least one dietary supplement as a safe, effective and affordable way to maintain good health and augment inadequate diets. Yet, California lawmakers do not believe Californians are capable of making health choices for themselves. We are urging Governor Newsom to follow the science and data provided by the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) and veto this draconian piece of legislation.”

NPA has been fighting against AB 1341 and is also fighting against this proposal and similar bills in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Missouri and Rhode Island.

For more information, visit www.votervoice.net/NPA/Campaigns/97023/Respond.