Ever since the reduction of FDA regulations in the supplement industry in 1994 under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), the industry has become a “buyers beware” market. The signing of the DSHEA made manufacturers themselves responsible for ensuring product safety and purity before a particular product reaches the market shelves. In fact many manufacturers are not required to register their products or get approval before production. One caveat exists however for consumer protection; the FDA can take action against manufacturers that distribute a product deemed unsafe after it has demonstrated so in the marketplace. Unfortunately, many unsafe supplements have reached the general market with negative implications. Recently, several manufacturers have been exposed for infusing various illegal anabolic steroid compounds in their products intended for bodybuilders and individuals looking for performance and mass gains. Investigators suggest the intent increased the potential potency and intended effects of the supplements; but more importantly, reduced their safety and deceived consumers into thinking they were improving their health when they were actually putting their health at risk.

In light of recent events and continued trends within the industry, the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has partnered with the National Football League (NFL), National Hockey League (NHL), the U.S. Olympic Committee, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and many other prominent sport and health organizations to initiate an effort to end the hazardous practices of “rogue” manufacturers within the nutritional supplement industry. The effort will be referred to as “Supplement Safety Now” with the main purpose of eradicating the practice of selling dangerous products labeled as “safe and legal” dietary supplements. USADA CEO Travis Tygart summarizes their concern with the following statement, “Most Americans are unaware that dangerous drugs are intentionally being sold as dietary supplements…and that current laws allow for these products to get into the hands of our children too easily.”

“Supplement Safety Now” is attempting to persuade Congress to establish a regulatory framework to guarantee that all supplements sold in any retail venue are safe and free of dangerous steroids and other drugs. The USADA purposes that with billions of dollars spent annually on over-the-counter products that claim to support wellness and fitness, supplement dangers have become a public health concern rather than something that solely pertains to elite level athletes. It is known that the designer steroids which have been found in public supplements as of late can and have caused many negative health issues including liver damage, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases, kidney failure, pulmonary embolism, and several various reproductive and psychological issues. Due to the fact that consumers have purchased supplements and been harmed while believing that the product may improve their health while athletes have been disqualified from events for unknowingly using banned substances hidden in the supplements, the cohort has developed the view that the unacceptable manufacturing practices of supplement companies must be stopped. The “Supplement Safety Now” effort to enhance consumer safety will include media outreach and community education projects. The well backed initiative hopes to ultimately get Congress to fill in the loopholes of federal regulations that currently allow manufacturers to produce and market products containing unsafe drugs.