Kemin supports GMP
support for the US Food and Drug Administration's new initiative to
strengthen labelling, manufacturing and product quality
requirements for the dietary supplement market.
Natural ingredient manufacturer Kemin Foods last week voiced its support for the US Food and Drug Administration's new initiative to strengthen labelling, manufacturing and product quality requirements for the dietary supplement market.
"Ensuring that all products in our industry adhere to basic safety, labelling and product consistency standards will instill even greater confidence and trust among consumers," said Rodney L. Ausich, president of Kemin Foods. "That can only benefit our industry."
Ausich shares the view of US Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson who believes that the millions of Americans currently using dietary supplements should know exactly what they are paying for.
Ausich said he sees the general GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) rule as achievable for companies already deploying rigorous research and production standards along with sound branding, labelling and consumer information protocols. "The GMP rule may result in somewhat of a shakeout within the industry, but the industry and those brands equipped to comply with the rule will be the better for it," he said.
Under the GMP proposed rule, manufacturers would be required to follow a range of conditions including designing and constructing their physical plants in a manner to protect dietary ingredients and dietary supplements from becoming adulterated during manufacturing, packaging and holding, to use equipment and utensils that are of appropriate design, construction, and workmanship for the intended use and, to retain records for three years beyond the date of manufacture of the last batch of dietary ingredients or dietary supplements.
Manufacturers are also responsible for determining that any representations or claims made about their products are substantiated by adequate evidence to show that they are not false or misleading.
Kemin Foods manufactures and markets FloraGLO brand lutein, a natural ingredient currently used in a range of vitamin and dietary supplements, as well as food and beverage products.
