[Dec 14, 96 - 10:01] Jane Kelley of 1:138/255 wrote to Jerry Schwartz:
JS>>Perhaps I don't understand what you're referring to.  Are you talking 
about
JS>>the natural herbs and other things such as Garlique?  Or are you saying 
JS>>that Shiff et al produce purified and standardized supplements?  Can you 
JS>>give me some examples?
JK> I am talking about all herbal remedies that come in bulk form such as
JK> the teas or soy protein that comes in bulk which provides amino acids.
JK> The manufacturers must make certain that each pill is exactly the same
JK> as the one before and after it.
Huh?  As far as I know, the manufacturers of herbal remedies are under no 
such strictures beyond the normal requirements that would apply across the 
board to food stuffs of all kinds.  They can't sell camel dung as chamomile, 
and the weight must match the package, but that's about all.  Whether you buy 
a bag of dried leaves or a bottle of capsules, there is no regulation of 
bioavailability or anything like that so far as I know.
In fact, when the FDA tried to have its power extended to regulate 
supplements such as you describe, there was a hue and cry that "they're 
trying to take your vitamins and supplements away."  Whether a particular 
company does its best or not, the industry as a whole is unregulated.
Jerry Schwartz
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