1938 – The Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) acknowledges vitamin, mineral and other dietary properties of foods. The FDA uses the drug provisions of the law to stake its claim to reclassify dietary supplements as drugs based on their label claims.
1941 – The first recommended daily allowances (RDAs) are published, establishing the basis for the FDA’s regulation of vitamins and minerals, despite opposing opinions claiming the RDA was not reflective of current scientific advances on the benefits of nutrients in maintaining health.
