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Yesterday, Legislation was passed giving The Food and Drug Administration the right to set standards on Herbs and other dietary supplements: They must be free of contaminants, (pesticides, microbes, and not empty or less amounts claimed.)

Also, there will be strict scrutiny of the industries to see if the plants and warehouses are up to FDA standards; and, watched closely will how records are being klept and how claims and accusations are being processed.

No longer will just anyone be allowed to set up a business of selling herbal remedies, etc. Up to now it has been lucrative business with hardly any restrictions.

The first legislation giving the FDA power to regulate was in 1994; yesterday, legislation allows for restrictions; however, all aspects of the herbal supplement industry will have until 2010 to fully comply.

Are these restrictions the same as for drugs? No, they do not have the extensive testing requirement. And that's what prompted Senator Richard J. Durbin to comment:
"better late than never...the rules do not go as far as they should have".

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