Sens. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., sent a letter last week to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Margaret Hamburg, in response to New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman's request to remove herbal supplements from the shelves of four major retailers earlier this month.

In the letter, the senators inquire about the DNA barcode testing that Attorney General Schneiderman used as the scientific basis for his request. As the senators point out, many scientists have questioned "whether DNA barcoding technology is an appropriate or validated method for determining the presence of herbal ingredients in finished botanical products."

Sens. Hatch and Harkin asked four categories of questions from the FDA regarding federal regulations and the validity of the study, and have requested a response on or before this Friday, given the potential uncertainties for consumers. 

Read the letter in full here.

The Natural Products Association (NPA) has worked diligently with longtime industry champion Sen. Hatch on this issue, and we are grateful for his attention to and support on this important matter, as well as Sen. Heinrich’s. NPA will continue to keep members abreast of the issue and any response from the FDA.