DSHEA ensures that Americans can freely purchase and use vitamins, minerals, herbs, and other dietary supplements without needing a prescription. It was created to prevent government overreach and protect the public’s right to make informed decisions about their health, while still holding products to basic safety and labeling standards.

DSHEA established the legal definition of a dietary supplement and outlined how it differs from food and pharmaceutical drugs. This clarity protects the marketplace, prevents misclassification, and ensures that both consumers and manufacturers understand the legal boundaries for labeling, marketing, and safety.

By drawing a clear line between supplements and drugs, DSHEA safeguards investment in clinical research and pharmaceutical development. Ingredients under active drug investigation cannot be sold as supplements, preserving incentives for companies to develop new treatments and protecting the integrity of scientific innovation.

DSHEA grants the FDA the authority to remove unsafe or misbranded supplements from the market. It also requires manufacturers to follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), properly label ingredients, and report serious adverse events, helping ensure product quality and consumer protection.

DSHEA helps create a transparent marketplace by requiring clear labeling, full ingredient disclosure, and truthful health claims. This promotes trust between consumers, regulators, and manufacturers, and ensures that individuals can make well-informed decisions about the supplements they choose to use.