PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Congressional Research Service
Version 36 · Passed House amended · Oct 7, 1994
Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to define a "dietary supplement" as a product: (1) other than tobacco, intended to supplement the diet that contains a vitamin, mineral, herb or botanical, dietary substance, or a concentrate, metabolite, constituent, extract, or combination of the above ingredients; (2) that is intended for ingestion, is not represented as food or as a sole item of a meal or diet, and is labeled as a dietary supplement; (3) that includes an article approved as a new drug, certified as an antibiotic, or licensed as a biologic and that was, prior to such approval, certification or licensure, marketed as a dietary supplement or food, unless the conditions of use and dosages are found to be unlawful; and (4) excludes such articles which were not so marketed prior to approval unless found to be lawful. Deems a dietary supplement to be a food. Excludes a dietary supplement from the definition of the term "food additive." (Sec. 4) Deems food to be adulterated if it is a dietary supplement or contains a dietary ingredient that: (1) presents a significant or unreasonable risk of injury; (2) is a new dietary ingredient for which there is inadequate information to provide assurance that such ingredient does not present such risk; (3) poses an imminent hazard to public health or safety; or (4) contains an ingredient that renders it adulterated. (Sec. 5) Provides that a publication shall not be defined as labeling when used in connection with the sale of dietary supplements when it: (1) is not false or misleading; (2) does not promote a particular manufacturer or brand of supplement; (3) is displayed so as to present a balanced view of the available scientic information; (4) is displayed physically separate from such supplements; and (5) does not have appended to it any information by sticker or other method. Places the burden of proof on the United States in establishing that such matter is false or misleading. (Sec. 6) Sets forth conditions under which nutritional claims may be made with respect to such supplements. (Sec. 7) Deems a dietary supplement misbranded unless its labeling meets specified guidelines. (Sec. 8) Deems a dietary supplement which contains a new dietary ingredient adulterated unless: (1) such supplement contains only ingredients which have been present in the food supply as articles used for food in a form in which the food has not been chemically altered; or (2) there is a history of use or other evidence of safety regarding such supplement. (Sec. 9) Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to prescribe good manufacturing practices for dietary supplements to be modeled after those for food. (Sec. 12) Creates the Commission on Dietary Supplement Labels. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 13) Establishes an Office of Dietary Supplements within the National Institutes of Health. Authorizes appropriations.
People & committees
Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT] · R–UT
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Became Public Law No: 103-417.
Became Public Law No: 103-417.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
By Senator Hatch from Committee on Labor and Human Resources filed written report. Report No. 103-410. Additional views filed.
By Senator Hatch from Committee on Labor and Human Resources filed written report. Report No. 103-410. Additional views filed.
Senate agreed to House amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: 10/7/1994 CR S14801)
Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate agreed to House amendment by Voice Vote.(consideration: 10/7/1994 CR S14801)
Message on House action received in Senate and at the desk: House amendment to Senate bill.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed without objection.
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed without objection.
Considered by unanimous consent. (consideration: 10/6/1994 CR H11173-11179)
Mr. Waxman asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider.
Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged.
Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged.
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Received in the House.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S11708-11715)
Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Committee on Labor and Human Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2319)
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S17049)
Committee on Labor and Human Resources. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 103-419.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4576-4578)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
Source last updated: Apr 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.
Analyze S.784 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine S.784 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine S.784 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine S.784 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.