Audio News Conference for Working Journalists Only; Last Chance to Register; 'Consumer Reports' Names 12 Dietary Supplements Too Dangerous for Market

4/2/2004

From: Joan Eve Quinn, 914-378-2436, or Alberto Rojas, 914-378-2434, both of the Consumers Union

News Advisory:

WHAT: In its May CR Investigates report, Consumer Reports reveals the Dirty Dozen supplements you should avoid: "Dangerous Supplements Still At Large." Widely available in stores and online, these unsafe supplements may cause cancer, kidney or liver damage, even death.

WHO:

-- James A. Guest, President and CEO, will discuss Consumers Union's commitment to making the supplement marketplace safer for consumers.

-- Nancy Metcalf, senior editor, author of this report.

-- Jamie Kopf, editorial associate, who researched and shopped for the Dirty Dozen online and in stores.

-- Chuck Bell, Consumers Union Programs Director, who has been closely involved in legislative efforts to protect consumers from unsafe supplements.

WHEN: MONDAY, APRIL 5 -- 1 - 2 PM EASTERN TIME

WHERE: AUDIO NEWS CONFERENCE - Listen and ask questions.

WHY: Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act, the Food and Drug Administration does not require supplement manufacturers to test for safety or efficacy before marketing their products. Yet, survey research shows that many Americans believe supplements are regulated by the government and that products marketed as "natural" are safe. People should be informed of these hidden dangers, and the law needs to be changed to provide better protection for consumers.

Participate and learn:

-- Which supplements are on the Dirty Dozen list and what are the health risks?

-- How easy is it to purchase these products and where are they sold?

-- What steps can consumers take to minimize their risk now?

-- Why doesn't the government regulate supplements as it does prescription drugs and what roadblocks prevent reform?

-- What solutions does Consumers Union propose?

Consumers Union Chief Medical Adviser Dr. Marvin Lipman, Elisa Odabashian, Senior Policy Analyst at our West Coast Regional Office, and Janell Mayo Duncan, Legislative and Regulatory Counsel at our Washington, D.C. office, will be available for interviews following the conference. Working journalists can register by calling Joan Eve Quinn at 914-378-2436 or Alberto Rojas at 914-378-2434 by Monday, April 5 at 11 a.m.