- Yesterday, FDA launched its new Dietary Supplement Ingredient Directory which contains a list of ingredients used in dietary supplements along with links to FDA’s actions and communications regarding the ingredients.
- The Ingredient Directory will contain information on the two types of ingredients found in dietary supplements: “dietary ingredients” and “other ingredients.” A “dietary ingredient” is defined (in 21 USC § 321(ff)) as a vitamin; mineral; herb or other botanical; amino acid; dietary substance for use by man to supplement the diet by increasing the total dietary intake; or a concentrate, metabolite, constituent, extract, or combination of any dietary ingredient from the preceding categories. “Other ingredients” include ingredients such as fillers, binders, excipients, preservatives, sweeteners, and flavoring, and are listed separately on the label.
- The Ingredient Directory will be periodically updated. However, it is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all ingredients used in dietary supplements and may not include all actions that the FDA has taken on a particular ingredient. For example, some duplicative actions or actions that no longer reflect the FDA’s current position may not be listed.
- FDA’s Dietary Supplement Advisory listserv has been retired, but anyone subscribed to that list will receive updates to the Ingredient Directory.