The Department of Justice announced Tuesday a massive sweep of the dietary supplement industry that resulted in a score of civil injunctions and criminal actions. Up to now, the industry's main associations are applauding the move.

Federal law enforcement took legal action against 117 dietary supplement manufacturers and distributors as part of the sweep, NBC News reported. One investigation found that a New Jersey-based natural supplement manufacturer was adding prescription medication to its products. Another concluded that a Texas-based company was making false claims about weight loss supplements. http://nbcnews.to/215r0gZ

The reaction to the law enforcement actions from supplement industry associations was positive, with the groups saying they were necessary to weed out bad actors.

"We have long called on the government to prosecute illegal activity to the full extent of the law, and today's action demonstrates the government's vast power to regulate this industry," the Natural Products Association said in a statement. "We welcome the coordination and collaboration of the other agencies involved, and offer to work with them and others to continue educating the public about the benefits of proper dietary supplement usage."

Consumer Healthcare Products Association CEO Scott Melville also encouraged federal authorities "to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law any company that sells products that are tainted or adulterated."

"These illegal products are a major threat to public health and hurt the credibility of the legitimate dietary supplements industry," he said.

American Herbal Products Association President Michael McGuffin said his organization fully supports enforcement of all laws governing the industry, and the DOJ has "accurately identified" enforcement and consumer education as the best way to prevent fraud.

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