Congressmen urge FDA action against BMPEA in dietary supplements.

• According to a recent study that has garnered media attention, some dietary supplements that purport to contain the herbal ingredient, Acacia rigidula, actually contain detectable amounts of the synthetic compound, beta-methylphenethylamine (BMPEA).  BMPEA apparently has not been studied in humans and thus, safety information for the substance is lacking.  Further, BMPEA does not have a clear regulatory status for its use as a dietary ingredient in dietary supplements at this time.
• Following the release of the study, Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) sent a letter to FDA requesting that the Agency launch an investigation into, and take appropriate regulatory action against, products purporting to contain Acacia rigidula.
• The dietary supplement industry appears somewhat supportive of the BMPEA backlash at this point, with one major trade association — the United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA) — imposing a “no-sale” policy for BMPEA supplements as a condition of membership in the organization.  Still, the media attention on BMPEA continues to keep the spotlight on the regulation and safety of dietary ingredients and dietary supplements, with even greater focus on herbal or botanical ingredients.