CLINTON, DEFYING FDA, SIGNS SUPPLEMENT BILL

WASHINGTON -- President Clinton signed into law a measure permitting all dietary supplements that were on the market by Oct. 15, 1994, to remain on retailers' shelves unless the Food and Drug Administration proves the products are unsafe.

tary supplements under regulation and law," Clinton said in a statement.

Clinton's statement made reference to FDA's attempts to regulate some supplements as drugs and the consumer response to that move, which sparked the legislation.

"In recent years, the regulatory scheme designed to promote the interests of consumers and a healthful supply of good food has been used instead to complicate choices consumers have made to advance their nutritional and dietary goals," said Clinton.

"With perhaps the best of intentions," he continued, "agencies of government charged with protecting the food supply and the rights of consumers have paradoxically limited the information to make healthful choices in an area that means a great deal to over 100 million people."

A spokesman for FDA, which opposed the bill, said the agency would continue to "do what we can to maintain safety of products."