Current status of functional foods in the United States.

Current and potential regulations of functional foods (nutraceuticals) will be discussed with emphasis on those features differentiating nutraceuticals from drugs. Current practices in nutraceutical development and limitations on their marketing and acceptance will be summarized. Comparisons between development and marketing strategies used for herbal and plant products and those used for nutraceuticals will be outlined. Finally, conclusions will be derived concerning the status and evolving future prospects for nutraceuticals in the United States.