"As we know, from the long history of reporting about adverse event reports, the media seizes upon this information posted by the government, broadcasts it across the universe and can destroy companies based on false information," Emord said. "This is a feeding ground for the publication of defamation."

Bruce Silverglade, legal director for the Center for Science in the Public Interest, said even though adverse events are reported and posted to a government Web site, it does not constitute an admission that the product caused or contributed to the event.

"The whole purpose of this is not to prove causation at this point in the investigation process," Silverglade said. "The consumer suffers a reaction. They think it might be linked to the supplement. Evidence of causation comes later."

Emord said dietary supplements have averaged less than five confirmed deaths per year over the past 25 years in the United States.

"Things like Claritin, ibuprofen, 1 percent hydrocortisone cream, all those OTCs are already subject to the system," Mister said. "We don't see this parade of horribles happening."

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E-mail: danderton@desnews.com