[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 114 (Thursday, August 5, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1767]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              THE NUTRACEUTICAL RESEARCH AND EDUCATION ACT

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                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 5, 1999

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, on August 4, the Food and Drug 
Administration held a public meeting regarding claims for dietary 
supplements under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 
1994. The debate on that legislation was among one of the most 
memorable and widely supported legislative efforts of the 103rd 
Congress. It is my hope that the agency will thoroughly review the 
historical record of this debate and agree that regulatory policy 
should be implemented to allow truthful, non-misleading dissemination 
of health information.
  The dietary supplement/functional food debate has always been one of 
access to products, and access to information. The debate on dietary 
supplements and functional foods continues with great vigor. The 
fundamental issues remain; the public wants safe and beneficial 
products and there is still, apparently, an ineffective regulatory 
structure. More work needs to be done in Congress regarding this aspect 
of health care.
  In that spirit, I am announcing that upon return from the August 
recess, I will be introducing legislation entitled the Nutraceutical 
Research and Education Act.
  The most important feature of this legislation will be its promotion 
of clinical research. The research will allow the public to get the 
right information on how to use dietary supplements and functional 
foods.
  The goal of promoting clinical research is a non-partisan issue, and 
I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House to move this 
debate forward.

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