FOOD FORTIFICATION AND DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS POSITION OF THE AMERICAN DIETETIC ASSOCIATION (ADA)

“It is the position of the American Dietetic Association (ADA) that the best nutritional strategy for promoting optimal health and reducing the risk of chronic disease is to wisely choose a wide variety of foods.  Additional vitamins and minerals from fortified foods and/or supplements can help some people meet their nutritional needs as specified by science-based nutrition standards such as the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) (1).”

    Recommendations regarding supplementation and the therapeutic use of vitamins and minerals for treating specific conditions may be found in the corresponding sections of this manual.  The latest recommendations from the Food and Nutrition Board for the first time include recommendations that supplements or fortified foods be used to obtain desirable amounts of some nutrients, eg, folic acid and calcium, in certain population groups. 

    Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, manufacturers must adhere to restrictions regarding the types of claims that are allowed on product labels.  Statements regarding the efficacy of specific products in the treatment or prevention of particular conditions are prohibited.  A claim statement is allowed if the “statement claims a benefit related to a classical nutrient deficiency disease and discloses the prevalence of such disease in the United States, describes the role of a nutrient or dietary ingredient intended to affect the structure or function in humans, characterizes the documented mechanism by which a nutrient or dietary ingredient acts to maintain such structure or function, or describes general well-being from consumption of a nutrient or dietary ingredient (1).”

    The manufacturer must specify that the claims are truthful and not misleading.  The following statement must also accompany any claims, “This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease (1)”.  In addition, all supplements must have the identity and strength of contents listed on the label, and meet appropriate specifications for quality, purity and composition (2).   

References

1. Position of the American Dietetic Association: Food fortification and dietary supplements.  J Am Diet Assoc. 2001; 101:115-125.
2. Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994. Public Law (S.784)(1994)(codified at 42 USC 287C-11).