Dexter Introduces Bill to Bring Transparency to Multi-Billion Dollar Supplement Industry

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Maxine Dexter, M.D. (OR-03), one of just six Democratic physicians serving in Congress, introduced the Dietary Supplement Listing Act, to require dietary supplement manufacturers to register their products with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In 1994, Congress passed the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act, giving FDA authority to regulate supplements—but not requiring companies to actually register their products with FDA. Since then, the market has exploded, leaving FDA without the information necessary to properly oversee the market and protect consumers.  

“More than three-quarters of Americans take dietary supplements. As a physician, I’ve seen countless patients assume these products are vetted for safety,” said Rep. Dexter. “Unfortunately, our regulatory bodies don’t have access to the most basic information about these products. My common sense legislation brings transparency to consumers and regulators alike to keep our communities safe.” 

The Dietary Supplement Listing Act would require companies to provide FDA with common sense yet critical information about their products, including product names, a list of all ingredients, an electronic copy of the label, allergen statements, and health and structure/function claims. 

Over the last 30 years, annual dietary supplement sales have increased from $4 billion to more than $50 billion, and more than 75 percent of American adults use a dietary supplement. Yet these products are not without risk. In 2023, FDA received more than 2,000 adverse event reports related to dietary supplements. Due to significant underreporting, the agency estimates the actual annual number of adverse events exceeds 50,000. 

For full bill text, click here.