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EPHEDRA INDUSTRY COMMENDS THE FDA FOR MORE AGGRESSIVE ENFORCEMENT OF DIETARY SUPPLEMENT LAWS

STATEMENT FROM THE EPHEDRA EDUCATION COUNCIL IN RESPONSE TO THE FDA AND E’OLA INTERNATIONAL SETTLEMENT

WASHINGTON (April 24, 2002) -- In response to the recent settlement between the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and E’Ola International, the Ephedra Education Council issued the following statement:

"The Ephedra Education Council (EEC) commends the FDA for taking more aggressive enforcement action to remove unlawful dietary supplements from shelves. FDA is correct to prohibit E'Ola International from selling "AMP Pro II," a synthetic ephedrine product, as a naturally-occurring Ephedra dietary supplement. FDA's use of important authority granted under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) will help to answer critics who claim DSHEA led to an unregulated dietary supplement market.

"The Ephedra industry has long supported prohibitions on the marketing of dietary supplements containing synthetic ephedrine. In October 2000, the industry submitted to FDA a petition requesting a national standard for Ephedra dietary supplements explicitly stating that ëneither finished consumer goods nor raw materials used in their manufacture are to contain any synthetically derived ephedrine alkaloids."

"We support the FDA's continued enforcement efforts, which play a vital role in assuring the safety, benefits and quality of the dietary supplement products."

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The Ephedra Education Council (EEC) is supported primarily by members of the Ephedra Committee of the American Herbal Products Association, a recognized leader in promoting the safe and responsible marketing of dietary supplements. The Council provides factual information to the media and public about dietary supplements containing Ephedra. For more information, logon to www.EphedraFacts.com.

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