Potential Good News For The Health Food Industry: Proposed Free Speech About Science Act, HR 4913

Press Release

Potential Good News For The Health Food Industry: Proposed Free Speech About Science Act, HR 4913

If Congressman Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) and Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO) are successful, the healthfood and dietary supplement industry may finally be able to cite legitimate scientific studies that pertain to their products potential health benefits.

Current FDA regulations specifically prohibit any reference to scientific studies by these groups. Violations can result in the FDA declaring common dietary supplements and foods to be unapproved drugs.

This practice virtually ties the hands of anyone involved in the production of either healthy foods, or common dietary supplements. They are not allowed to claim any type of health benefit without running the risk of potentially being charged with practicing medicine without a license or dealing with unapproved (illegal) drugs.

Congressman Chaffetz and Congressman Polis have jointly sponsored HR 4913, a resolution that has the potential to change all that. The provisions in this bill would:

* Allow dietary supplements and healthy foods to cite legitimate scientific research
* Ensure that referencing such research does not convert a food or dietary supplement into an 'unapproved' (and therefore, illegal) new drug
* Retain the authority of the FDA and the FTC to pursue any fraudulent and misleading statements

During all of the healthcare reform negotiations, our representatives need make certain this proposed resolution is incorporated.

The modifications proposed in this bill would allow Americans to be in charge of their own health and well-being. It would allow people to make informed decisions about their diet and dietary supplements based on the latest scientific research available. Science would finally become transparent, as it should be.

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