As WholeFoods Magazine has reported, AB-1341 restricts access to dietary supplements. In certain situations, NPA reported, it requires a prescription to access the health products. The trade group added that legislative analysis provided to senators highlighted ingredients including vitamin D and calcium as potentially harmful.
The bill is silent on regulating online sales of dietary supplements in California, NPA pointed out, but it requires brick-and-mortar retailers to post a warning sign at each purchase counter. The signs need to communicate that dietary supplements are known to cause serious adverse events, including stroke, organ failure, and even death. Retailers who fail to comply with AB-1341 legislation could be fined up to $1,000 for each infraction.
Impact on public health and consumer choice
“This is a slap in the face to public health and consumer choice,” said Daniel Fabricant, Ph.D., NPA President and CEO, in a press release. “The FDA does not have a single data point that connects eating disorders to supplement use and 80% of Americans take at least one dietary supplement as a safe, effective, and affordable way to maintain good health and augment inadequate diets. Yet, California lawmakers do not believe Californians are capable of making health choices for themselves. We are urging Governor Newsom to follow the science and data provided by the FDA and veto this draconian piece of legislation.”
NPA's grassroots campaignis designed to counter the bill. The association notes that it also is fighting against similar propsals in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Missouri, and Rhode Island. NPA is urging the industry to join the thousands of Californians to contact Governor Newsom and warn him of the consequences of this legislation.
