Washington, D.C.—Industry members have had some positive things to say about a new bill aimed at stopping the manufacturing, selling and marketing of illegal anabolic steroids masquerading as supplements and similar imitation drugs.

Both the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) and the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) issued statements of support for the legislation, which was proposed by support Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).

The Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 2012 would amend the Controlled Substance Act with further the regulation of illegal steroid products. If passed, the bill would not only create criminal and civil penalties of up to $2.5 million and a possible 10-year prison sentence for the manufacture, sale and/or distribution of these substances, but will also add 25 new substances to the current list of defined anabolic steroids.

AHPA stated that the “expanded controls on these substances that would be implemented by your legislation would protect consumers by better ensuring that these are not misrepresented as legitimate dietary supplements, when clearly they are not.”

According to CRN CEO and President Steve Mister, the new bill will give the Drug Enforcement Agency a stronger pull to remove these harmful steroids from the market as a controlled substance.

“When marketers sell new unapproved steroids under the guise of supplements, it is not only dangerous for consumers, but disparages responsible dietary supplement companies producing and selling legitimate, high-quality and beneficial supplements for sports nutrition and performance,” Mister said.

Published in WholeFoods Magazine, Sept. 2012 (online 7/30/12)