FDA Issues Warning on Diet Supplements

The Food and Drug Administration backed away from its new diet supplement labeling rules, warning companies not to promote their products to treat morning sickness, leg swelling or other conditions affecting pregnant women. The FDA issued the statement after consumer advocates and health care providers complained that the labeling rules allowed diet supplements to be marketed to pregnant women when most of the substances haven’t been tested to see if they’re safe for the developing fetus. This marked the latest flare-up in the FDA’s efforts to regulate the booming diet supplement industry, which under current law can make and sell new products without prior FDA approval.