Supplement bill hailed

OREM — Members of Utah's congressional delegation won a vote in the final hours of the 109th Congress that is being hailed by local dietary supplement manufacturers.

The Dietary Supplement and Nonprescription Drug Consumer Protection Act, which was sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and in the House by Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah, cleared the House of Representatives with a 203-98 vote in the early morning hours Saturday.

It had been passed by the Senate just three days before.

The bill is expected to be signed by the president. Once it becomes law, it will require manufacturers of dietary supplements to report any adverse reactions caused by their products — such as death or hospitalization — to the Food and Drug Administration with 15 days.

"We felt this was important because we feel that what we do as an industry — our products — are safe," said Chris Croft, head of government affairs for Springville-based supplement manufacturer Neways. "But we have critics who think we are not safe, and this gives us an opportunity to prove to them that we are."

Representatives from Neways worked with Hatch's office in the drafting of the bill, and company lobbyists were pushing the bill right until the end. Its passage means more stringent regulation for the company, but Neways officials say only good can come of it.

"This actually strengthens us," said James Watson, vice president of human resources and organizational development for Neways.

Representatives from Lehi-based nutritional drink maker Xango also worked with industry groups in drafting and supporting the legislation.

"We think this is a win-win for consumers and manufacturers," said Bob Freeze, vice president of public relations for Xango. "We think it's very important that consumers have confidence in the natural supplements industry."

Freeze pointed out that natural dietary supplements generally have a safer track record than prescription drugs, but welcomed the opportunity to improve the credibility of Xango and similar companies in the eyes of Congress and the general public. The U.S. dietary supplement industry brings in about $22 billion a year.

Utah's dietary supplement industry is estimated to earn between $2.5 billion and $4 billion annually, according to trade organizations.