Which act made herbals officially classified as dietary supplements?

The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994 is the legislation that officially classified herbals as dietary supplements. This act established a regulatory framework for dietary supplements, distinguishing them from conventional foods and drugs. Under DSHEA, dietary supplements, including herbals, are defined as products taken by mouth that contain a dietary ingredient intended to supplement the diet. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids, and other substances.

The act also outlined the requirements for labeling, safety, and claims that can be made about the supplements. It enabled manufacturers to market herbal products more easily, under the premise that they are responsible for ensuring the safety of their products, while the FDA is responsible for taking action against unsafe supplements. This was a significant shift in how herbals and dietary supplements were viewed regarding safety and efficacy, leading to their widespread use and consumer accessibility.

The other acts mentioned do not focus on the classification of herbals as dietary supplements. For instance, the Food and Drug Act primarily addressed the safety of food and drugs, the Orphan Drug Act was designed to encourage the development of drugs for rare diseases, and the Prescription Drug Marketing Act dealt with the distribution and marketing of prescription drugs, none of which pertain directly