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  1. Dietary Supplements

Information for Consumers on Using Dietary Supplements

The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994, which amended the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, transformed FDA’s authority to regulate dietary supplements. Under DSHEA, FDA is not authorized to approve dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness before they are marketed. In fact, in many cases, firms can lawfully introduce dietary supplements to the market without even notifying FDA. Since DSHEA was enacted, the dietary supplement market has grown significantly. For example, the number of products has expanded nearly twenty times since 1994.

Dietary supplements play a role in the comprehensive care plan for many Americans. For example, some dietary supplements can help improve or maintain overall health and help provide adequate amounts of essential nutrients that the body needs to function. Because taking supplements can also involve health risks, FDA advises consumers to be informed and talk to their doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional before deciding to purchase or use a dietary supplement. FDA is committed to protecting the public by identifying and removing unsafe and illegal products from the market and ensuring that products marketed as dietary supplements are safe, well-manufactured, and accurately labeled.

The following are resources and important information for you and your family about dietary supplements.

Dietary Supplement Educational Resources and Materials

Supplement Your Knowledge: Dietary Supplements Education Initiative

Supplement Your Knowledge: Dietary Supplement Education Initiative
Downloadable educational resources

Questions and Answers

Questions and Answers on Dietary Supplements
Answers to popular questions 

Consumer Updates

Timely and easy-to-read articles on product approvals, safety warnings, and other health information.

Alerts for Consumers

Recalls, Warnings, and Health Fraud

FDA Resources for You

Additional Dietary Supplement Information from Other Agencies

National Institutes of Health

U.S. Department of Agriculture

  • Nutrition.gov (online federal government information on nutrition, including dietary supplements)

Federal Trade Commission

FDA and FTC work together to regulate dietary supplement claims. FTC regulates the advertising of dietary supplements and specifically reviews the truth and accuracy of claims made in dietary supplement advertising and marketing.

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, Medicine

  • The Food and Nutrition Board establishes principles and guidelines of adequate dietary intake; issues publications such as "Dietary Reference Intakes: Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Vitamin B12, Pantothenic Acid, Biotin, and Choline.

U.S. Department of Defense

  • Operation Supplement Safety provides dietary supplement information for the military community, leaders, healthcare providers, and DoD civilians.

Contact FDA

Office of Dietary Supplement Programs, HFS-810
Food and Drug Administration
5001 Campus Dr
College Park, MD 20740

To contact the Office of Dietary Supplement Programs, email: ODSP@fda.hhs.gov

To reach FDA’s Food and Cosmetics Information Center, call: 1-888-SAFEFOOD (1-888-723-3366)



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