Don Fehr, head of the baseball players union, said the lack of government regulation is especially problematic for amateur and professional athletes who might use over-the-counter supplements, because a positive test for a banned substance can lead to suspension. Fehr said in an interview. “I’m sure there are some good supplement products in the market that are safe, effective and accurately identified. I hope these products can be protected.
Steve Mister, president and CEO of the Council for Responsible Nutrition, which represents the dietary supplement industry, said there is a “small fringe” of manufacturers that offer products which include steroids and other banned substances. He said sports nutrition supplements account for about 10 percent of the $25 billion supplement industry, and “those muscle enlargement products that seem to be a concern are just a small fraction of that.”
