PHOENIX--Virgo Publishing announced this week that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) panel at SupplySide East, May 4 to 6 at the Baltimore Convention Center, will focus on New Dietary Ingredients (NDIs). Scheduled for Friday, May 6, from 2:15 to 3:45 p.m., the FDA speakers will be joined by representatives from the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) and Ullman, Shapiro & Ullman to present an update on this developing issue.

"This issue has come into the spotlight and needs to be addressed," said Jon Benninger, Virgo's director of business development. "We are pleased to have FDA come to SupplySide East and present on such an important industry issue."

The presentation--"New Dietary Ingredients: An FDA and Industry Panel"--will examine what factors determine if an ingredient is "new" and therefore required to comply with this section of the law, as well as the handling of "new" ingredients that are already on the market.

Presenters include:

Vasilios H. Frankos, Ph.D., Special Assistant for Science Review, Division of Dietary Supplements, Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Dr. Frankos received his doctorate in pharmacology and toxicology from the University of Maryland Pharmacy School. He has more than 30 years experience in the toxicological and pharmacological evaluation of data used to assess the safety of nutritional supplements, foods and food additives, drugs, medical devices, cosmetics and environmental chemicals. He has also worked at FDA as a staff science advisor and a senior toxicologist.

Michael McGuffin, President, American Herbal Products Association (AHPA)
AHPA, the national trade association and voice of the herbal supplement industry, is the recognized leader in representing the responsible center of the botanical trade, and is comprised of the finest growers, processors, manufacturers and marketers of herbal products. McGuffin also is the managing editor of AHPA's Botanical Safety Handbook (1997) and of Herbs of Commerce, Second Edition (2000).

Linda S. Pellicore, Ph.D., Senior Supervisory Toxicologist and Manager of the New Dietary Ingredient Program, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN), Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Dr. Pellicore joined CFSAN in 1991. She is responsible for implementing the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994 and is the agency's acting lead scientist for dietary supplements. She has focused on the risk assessment of food additives, color additives, GRAS (generally recognized as safe) substances and dietary supplements. She received her doctorate in toxicology and pharmacology from Thomas Jefferson School of Medicine.

Marc Ullman, Partner, Ullman, Shapiro & Ullman
Ullman represents clients in matters relating to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) matters, regulatory issues, Federal Trade Commission (FTC) proceedings and litigation. His practice includes representation relating to FDA compliance including labels, labeling, claims, GMPs (good manufacturing practices), as well as a number of complex proceedings with the FDA relating to the agency's powers under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994.

The panel presentation is open to all participants. More information about SupplySide East 2005, including registration, complete agenda details and an exhibitor listing, is available at www.supplysideshow.com/east, or by calling Virgo Publishing at (800) 454-5760 or (480) 990-1101 ext. 1629.

Virgo Publishing Inc. produces the SupplySide Trade Shows and Conferences, the Focus on the Future Executive Conference and Retreat, and the online training Web site nutrilearn.com; and publishes Natural Products Industry INSIDER and HSR: Health Supplement Retailer magazines.

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Contact:
Amy Sharman , Marketing and Communications Manager
Virgo Publishing
Phone: 480-990-1101, ext. 1543
E-mail: asharman@vpico.com