Will Financial Reform Bill Expand FTC Power over Supplements?

For the last several months, the Financial Services Reform Bill has been the talk of Congress, with the Senate passing its own version of the bill, last week.

Nutritional Outlook recently reported on a controversial provision that, if added to the final bill, would provide the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) with expanded powers to regulate industry.

Trade associations like the Natural Products Association (NPA; Washington, DC) have been speaking out against the provision, arguing that it burdens food and dietary supplement industries that 'had nothing to do with the financial crisis.' To NPA...s favor, the Senate...s version of the financial reform bill excluded this provision, but the association says it still remains in the version pending in the House.

NPA is calling on industry members to tell their members of Congress to oppose the FTC amendment.

'NPA members responded strongly to the first call to urge senators to oppose any FTC powers amendment while they were considering the legislation, and I think [industry members] can take some credit for keeping the provision off the Senate bill,' said John Gay, CEO and executive director of NPA. 'Now we need to carry that message to both the House and Senate as they seek to iron out the differences between their versions of the legislation.'

To send a message to your congress members, click here.