CEO DATELINE - Dietary supplement groups blast deal with N.Y. attorney general

April 2, 2015 |
Walt Williams

Associations question science behind DNA tests used

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Two associations representing dietary supplement manufacturers are not happy with a recent bargain struck between health product retailer GNC and the New York State attorney general's office on DNA testing for herbal supplements.

Earlier this year, New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman ordered four retail chains to pull their store-brand herbal supplements after DNA barcode tests commissioned by his office concluded most of the products did not contain the ingredients listed on their labels.

GNC and Schneiderman announced Monday they had struck a deal in which the retail chain will conduct DNA barcode tests on all "active" plant ingredients used in its products. The tests will exceed current U.S. Food and Drug Administration requirements for ensuring supplement safety.

"When it comes to consumer health, we expect companies to reach a high safety bar," Schneiderman said. "Without tests and safeguards, including those that rule out dangerous allergens, these supplements pose unacceptable risks to New York families." http://on.ny.gov/1P2v5N6

But Steve Mister, CEO of the Council for Responsible Nutrition, said the bargain is a "disservice to consumers" because it promotes a form of DNA testing that isn't effective for herbal products.

"DNA barcode testing remains a flawed method for across-the-board testing for analyzing the quality of botanical ingredients and finished products," he said. "Today's announcement substitutes reasoned judgment of scientists and federal experts with a politically-motivated mandate that does not advance the conversation around the quality of dietary supplements." http://bit.ly/1HmD6a2

Also sounding the alarm was Daniel Fabricant, CEO of the Natural Products Association, who said the deal "looks like a giant charade" on the part of the attorney general.

"At this point, the only result of this unfounded witch hunt was to pull safe products off the shelves and inconvenience thousands of customers in New York," he said. "Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration has been incredibly silent during the whole affair, which should tell us a lot about the merits of this incursion." http://bit.ly/1CeBJWe

Schneiderman is continuing to put pressure on supplement makers. In a separate announcement Thursday, his office announced that 14 state attorney generals are asking Congress to launch a formal inquiry into the industry.