“There is nothing more sacred than consumers having some peace of mind that people who are selling these supplements are doing it the right way, and are abiding by the laws and regulations that are put forth to protect the consumer…and my sentence has to be one that promotes respect for the law. Because what the FDA does is so critical…they are making sure that the products that we consume and the products that we use are safe for consumption, are safe for usage. And I am going to sentence you to a sentence, sir, that continues to give them the teeth they need, the power they need, to send a message to our society.”
Criminal enforcement actions protect consumers by punishing violators and deterring bad behavior by others. Strong enforcement helps industry too – by maintaining a level playing field for the production of safe foods and products. FDA is strongly committed to working with companies that take their safety responsibilities seriously – and equally committed to dealing strongly with those that don't.