What is an essential characteristic of a dietary supplement under the relevant law?

An essential characteristic of a dietary supplement is that it can be marketed without FDA approval. This is because dietary supplements are regulated differently from conventional food and drugs. While the FDA oversees their safety and labeling, these products do not require prior approval before being sold to consumers. This allows manufacturers to bring dietary supplements to market without having to demonstrate their safety and efficacy to the FDA before they reach consumers.

It is important to note that while dietary supplements can be marketed without FDA approval, they must comply with specific labeling and safety standards as dictated by the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994. This acts as a framework within which manufacturers can operate, but it distinguishes dietary supplements from pharmaceuticals, which do require FDA review and approval before they can be marketed.

In contrast, the other options suggest characteristics that are not true for all dietary supplements. While many dietary supplements may be derived from natural ingredients, not all are required to be so; some may indeed contain synthetic components. The assertion that they must contain no active pharmaceutical ingredients is misleading, as certain dietary supplements may include substances that have pharmacological activity. As for the requirement to highlight potential benefits, while manufacturers often do so, it is not a strict legal requirement tied to the