US industry groups back bill reaffirming FDA authority over dietary supplements

US supplement industry groups welcome the proposed Dietary Supplement Regulatory Uniformity Act. If enacted, the bill would amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) Act to clarify and affirm the US FDA’s authority over dietary supplement regulation. 

Specifically, the bill proposes amending the FD&C Act to clarify that no state may establish requirements for supplements that differ from or are additional to those in the act. Congressman Nick Langworthy’s bill comes at a time when several US states have enacted restrictions on access to supplements. 

The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) states that the new legislation reinforces a regulatory system by preventing individual states from creating “conflicting or duplicative supplement regulations that undermine federal oversight.”

“Americans benefit when dietary supplements are regulated under one clear, national standard grounded in science,” says Steve Mister, president and CEO of CRN. “This legislation protects consumers from confusing and alarmist state-level restrictions and requirements while ensuring responsible companies can continue to innovate and provide safe, high-quality products nationwide.”

The Natural Products Association (NPA) adds that the bill restores the original intent of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994.

Jim Emme, chairman of NPA’s Board of Directors and CEO of Now Health Group, says: “Langworthy’s legislation supports that framework and would put an end to a growing patchwork of state laws and bills that threaten to disrupt US commerce and confuse consumers about FDA oversight of science-backed products with established histories of safe use.”

Both organizations state they are looking forward to working with Congressman Langworthy, regulators, and industry stakeholders to advance the legislation and preserve a strong, uniform regulatory framework that strengthens consumer protection and maintains access to safe, beneficial supplements.

End to restrictive requirements?

NPA and CRN note that the legislation would prevent states from imposing conflicting and restrictive requirements on supplements. 

They testified before New Jersey’s legislature against a bill that prohibits the sale of supplements for weight loss or muscle building to consumers under 18. The associations quashed legislation in California in 2024.

CRN and NPA note the bill would support US consumers’ uniform access to safe supplements across the country.Similar age-restricting bills have been proposed in other states, such as Massachusetts and New York. Meanwhile, CRN notes that recent Texas legislation would have required additional labeling for melatonin.

CRN notes that these laws are inconsistent with FDA requirements, creating a “patchwork of rules” that increase compliance costs, strain retailers, disrupt national supply chains, and threaten consumer access to lawful products.

NPA adds that these bills are often based on “sensationalized claims rather than sound science” and are enacted without regard for the FDA’s comprehensive oversight, enforcement authorities, and decades of regulatory expertise.

Flexibility and scientific rigor

CRN notes that the Dietary Supplement Regulatory Uniformity Act still allows states to petition the agency if they can demonstrate a legitimate local concern. Meanwhile, states can supplement federal oversight with their own enforcement resources to apply federal requirements.

The organization welcomes this “balanced approach” as it preserves flexibility without sacrificing consistency or scientific rigor.

“Strong federal oversight and uniform enforcement are essential to maintaining consumer confidence and ensuring a level playing field for responsible businesses,” says Mister. “CRN commends lawmakers for taking action to keep dietary supplement policy grounded in science.”

Daniel Fabricant, president and CEO of NPA, adds: “This bill is about protecting the rights of consumers to access safe products like creatine and branch chain amino acids and the rights of established, reputable companies to sell them.”

“Americans deserve uniform access to affordable supplements regardless of where they live. Companies deserve regulatory certainty so they can invest in quality, innovation, and compliance.”