California bill would mandate warning on ephedra products
The bill, introduced on February 24 by state Assemblywoman Susan Davis,
D-San Diego, would require dietary supplements containing ephedrine
to bear a label warning consumers not to exceed recommended doses. It
would also require manufacturers to list a toll-free number so consumers
could report adverse reactions to state health officials. Metabolife
International, manufacturer of the ephedra supplement Metabolife 356,
is located in Davis' San Diego district. Critics in the herb industry
charge that the toll-free number will "scare consumers away"
and question why prescription drugs are exempt from such a rule. Meanwhile,
the FDA has backed down on its proposal to limit the dosage and duration
of use on ephedrine supplements. The agency plans to hold a public forum
on the issue after studying more data on ephedrine.San Diego Chronicle,
March 2, 2000 and
The Tan Sheet, March 6, 2000.
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