Press Release: For Immediate Release

Natural Products Foundation Statement on Dietary Supplements and Swine Flu

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 5, 2009) ? The Natural Products Foundation today released this statement from Executive Director Tracy Taylor regarding recent warnings from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Federal Trade Commission about dietary supplements and other products being marketed as Swine Flu treatments:

?Our mission is to further public health and to that end we support the responsible sale and use of vitamins, minerals, herbs and other dietary supplements. However, with a handful of exceptions that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, the law governing dietary supplements [Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act] does not allow claims that these products can prevent, treat or cure disease. This applies to the N1H1 flu virus, or 'Swine Flu.'

?So to ensure the public gets accurate and legitimate information regarding the use of dietary supplements, we are taking a two-pronged approach through our Truth in Advertising Program. First, we are continuing to educate the natural products industry about what can and cannot be claimed about the health benefits of dietary supplements. Our website has a library of resources for both retailers and suppliers regarding what the law permits. We know the industry wants to do what is right and lawful and the foundation provides the tools to help accomplish this. Secondly, we are monitoring the Internet for marketers claiming to treat Swine Flu with dietary supplements and are turning these URLs over to the Federal Trade Commission for further investigation.

?Finally, the foundation supports the Natural Products Association in calling for retailers to refuse to stock or sell any supplements that are presented as treating or curing Swine Flu.?