| Dietary supplements include any products taken | | | | certification, education, and risk-management for |
| by mouth that contain a "dietary ingredient" | | | | public health and safety. For 65 years, NSF has |
| intended to supplement the diet. This would include | | | | been committed to public health, safety, and |
| vitamins, minerals, herbs, botanicals, amino acids | | | | protection of the environment. |
| and concentrates, metabolites, constituents, and | | | | While focusing on food, water, indoor air, and the |
| extracts of these substances. Dietary | | | | environment, NSF develops national standards, |
| supplements are not classified or considered to be | | | | provides learning opportunities, and provides |
| drugs so it may seem that getting them from | | | | third-party conformity assessment services while |
| any source would be acceptable. But that would | | | | representing the interests of all stakeholders. |
| be a dangerous assumption. | | | | The primary stakeholder groups include industry, |
| By law, manufacturers are responsible for | | | | the regulatory community, and the public at large. |
| ensuring their supplements are safe before they | | | | They are trademarked as The Public Health and |
| are marketed. But unlike drug products, dietary | | | | Safety Company and they have earned the |
| supplements are not reviewed by the | | | | Collaborating Center designations by the World |
| government before being made available to the | | | | Health Organization (WHO) for Food and Water |
| consumer. | | | | Safety and Indoor Environment. |
| Federal laws require the labels on dietary | | | | NSF was founded in 1994 and they serve |
| supplement products to contain the following | | | | manufacturers operating in 80 countries, with |
| information: Statement of identity, Net quantity of | | | | headquarters in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The NSF |
| contents, Directions for use, Supplement Facts | | | | Mark is recognized for its value in international |
| Panel, listing serving size, amount, and active | | | | trade around the world and is respected by |
| ingredient, other ingredients in descending order of | | | | regulatory agencies at the local, state, and federal |
| predominance and Manufacturer information such | | | | levels. |
| as their name, place of business and the packer | | | | As part of its mission as a public health and |
| or distributor. | | | | safety resource, the NSF Consumer Affairs |
| It is important to consult with your health care | | | | Office has developed a Dietary Supplement Fact |
| professional prior to using supplements as some | | | | Kit for the media and consumers. This |
| supplements can interact with over-the-counter or | | | | consumer-friendly resource includes a wide array |
| prescription medications or have unwanted | | | | of useful information on how to choose dietary |
| effects during surgery, while others may contain | | | | supplements, as well as how to read dietary |
| active ingredients that can cause adverse | | | | supplement labels, and answers to other |
| reactions in some users. | | | | frequently asked questions about these products. |
| NSF International is a not-for-profit, | | | | Do yourself a favor and make sure that your |
| non-governmental organization. They are the | | | | supplements are from a reputable source and |
| world leader in standards development, product | | | | carry the appropriate certifications. |