The DSHEA Effect: How Supplement Regulation Revolutionized Wellness

The 1994 passage of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) marked a turning point for the dietary supplement industry. Before this, the industry lacked proper regulation and faced a significant threat from the 1990 Nutrition Labeling and Education Act, which sought to classify supplements like herbs and amino acids as drugs. DSHEA emerged from a hard-fought battle, ensuring consumers could access natural, affordable resources to support their wellness journeys. 

DSHEA created a legitimate framework that allows companies to discuss their products and share science-backed benefits. It also established the supplement industry’s place between food and drugs, a regulatory gray area where innovation flourished. Over the past 30 years, the industry has grown into a $67 billion powerhouse, with supplements and herbs lining the shelves of major retailers and social media amplifying the wellness conversation. 

However, with this growth comes new challenges: Counterfeit products are sold online; social media influencers, artificial intelligence and Wall Street are reshaping the industry. “Pixie dusting”—adding insignificant amounts of ingredients to products—is a major concern, and experts are working to balance the need for modernized regulations with stronger industry self-regulation. 

As the industry looks ahead, innovation is key. In the next 30 years, will the industry further democratize nutrition and normalize supplements? Will supplements become a core pillar of health care? Watch this documentary celebrating DSHEA’s 30th anniversary and explore how this pivotal law continues to shape the future of health and wellness. 

Presented by New Hope Network and Nutrition Business Journal. 
Underwritten by Ingredion, Country Life, Alkemist Labs, Now Foods and Specialty Nutrition Consulting.