This section explains selected dietary supplement concepts and how to verify ASA public records. It provides general information and does not diagnose a condition, recommend a product, or replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Dietary supplements in the United States
Dietary supplements are regulated as a category of food under U.S. federal law. Companies are responsible for meeting applicable requirements. FDA does not approve dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness before sale in the same way it approves new drugs.
FDA can take action against products that are adulterated or misbranded. Advertising is also subject to Federal Trade Commission requirements concerning truthful, nonmisleading claims and adequate support.
Visit FDA Dietary Supplements
Visit FTC Health Products Compliance Guidance
Consumer topics
Reading a Supplement Facts label
A Supplement Facts label identifies serving information, listed dietary ingredients, amounts, and other required information. Read the full label, including directions, warnings, allergens, other ingredients, responsible-party information, and statements that qualify a claim.
Do not assume that two products with a similar front-label name contain the same forms, amounts, serving directions, or other ingredients.
Understanding claims
Different statements can describe nutrient content, the role of a nutrient or ingredient in the body, or a health-related relationship. A product claim should be read with its exact wording and qualifications. A testimonial, influencer statement, association membership, award, or “natural” description does not replace evidence for the claim.
Discussing supplement use
Tell a qualified healthcare professional about supplements you use or plan to use, particularly before surgery, during pregnancy or nursing, for a child, when managing a health condition, or when taking medicines. Product labels and general websites cannot account for every individual circumstance.
Reporting a problem
For an emergency, contact emergency services. A suspected serious adverse event or product problem should be reported through the responsible company and the appropriate government route. Do not rely on an ASA message as the only report.
Online and marketplace purchases
Check the exact seller, responsible company, label, lot or date information, condition of packaging, and return or contact route. Be cautious with claims of guaranteed cures, government approval, or results that sound absolute. Report suspected fraud to the appropriate authority.
What ASA membership means
A public Member Directory listing confirms current ASA membership for the named entity as of the record date. Membership is not product certification, facility approval, a guarantee, or an ASA recommendation.
Search the Member Directory
Understand membership accountability
What NutraFormula recognition means
NutraFormula recognition means that a named formulation record and version met published program criteria as of the decision date and within the stated scope. It is not FDA approval, a safety or efficacy guarantee, a facility audit, or certification of every manufactured lot.
Verify before relying on a mark
Use ASA’s directory or registry rather than a logo image alone. Check the legal entity or product name, version, current status, dates, and scope. Report a mark that links to no valid record or appears altered or misused.
Find official information
For questions about regulation or safety, start with the relevant government source. ASA links to official pages for convenience but does not control or replace them.
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For primary U.S. regulatory information, visit FDA supplement information.