Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA)

The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), enacted in 1994, is a U.S. law that defines and regulates dietary supplements, which include vitamins, minerals, herbs, and other bioactive substances. It allows these products to be marketed without pre-approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), placing the responsibility for safety and labeling on manufacturers. DSHEA requires supplement manufacturers to ensure their products are safe and properly labeled, but it does not require them to prove efficacy before selling. This law aimed to provide consumers with broader access to supplements while maintaining some level of consumer protection.