News release: “The Federal Trade Commission submitted a statement today to the U.S. Senate describing the agency’s work to protect consumers from false or misleading claims about dietary supplements. This work includes law enforcement actions, coordination with the Food and Drug Administration, and consumer education. Submitted to the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, the statement noted that the U.S. dietary supplement industry had $25 billion in sales last year, a 6 percent increase over the previous year. “[M]arket analysts suggest that the downturn in the economy has actually led to increased spending on supplements as consumers attempt to manage their own healthcare and avoid expensive doctor visits and prescription medications. Given this trend, it is more critical than ever that the Commission work to ensure that consumers are getting truthful and accurate information, backed by solid scientific evidence, about dietary supplements.”