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SMALL ENTITY COMPLIANCE GUIDE

Small Entity Compliance Guide: Final Rule Declaring Dietary Supplements Containing Ephedrine Alkaloids Adulterated Because They Present an Unreasonable Risk July 2008

Read the Federal Register Notice
Final
Docket Number:
FDA-1995-N-0054
Issued by:
Guidance Issuing Office
Human Foods Program

This guidance represents the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) current thinking on this topic. It does not create or confer any rights for or on any person and does not operate to bind FDA or the public. You can use an alternative approach if the approach satisfies the requirements of the applicable statutes and regulations.  

I. Introduction

On February 11, 2004, FDA published in the Federal Register a final rule that established a regulation declaring dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids adulterated under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act because they present an unreasonable risk of illness or injury under the conditions of use recommended or suggested in labeling, or if no conditions of use are suggested or recommended in labeling, under ordinary conditions of use (69 FR 6787). The final rule became effective on April 12, 2004. FDA has prepared this Small Entity Compliance Guide in accordance with section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (Public Law 104-121). This guidance document restates in plain language the legal requirements set forth in 21 CFR 119.1 concerning dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids. This regulation is binding and has the full force and effect of law.

FDA's guidance documents, including this guidance, do not establish legally enforceable responsibilities. Instead, guidances describe the Agency's current thinking on a topic and should be viewed only as recommendations, unless specific regulatory or statutory requirements are cited. The use of the word should in Agency guidances means that something is suggested or recommended, but not required.

II. Questions and Answers

  1. What does the regulation state about the legal status of dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids?

    The regulation states that dietary supplements that contain ephedrine alkaloids are adulterated under section 402(f)(1)(A) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 342(f)(1)(A)). It is illegal to market an adulterated dietary supplement.

  2. What is the basis for concluding that dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids are adulterated?

    Dietary supplements that contain ephedrine alkaloids present an unreasonable risk of illness or injury under conditions of use recommended or suggested in the labeling, or if no conditions of use are recommended or suggested in the labeling, under ordinary conditions of use (21 CFR 119.1).

  3. What scientific evaluation did FDA rely upon when issuing the final regulation on dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids?

    FDA took this action based upon the well-known pharmacology of ephedrine alkaloids, the peer-reviewed scientific literature on the effects of ephedrine alkaloids, and the adverse events reported to have occurred in individuals following consumption of dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids (69 FR at 6788).

Related Information

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All written comments should be identified with this document's docket number: FDA-1995-N-0054.

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