DSHEA is the Dietary Supplement Health Education Act, passed into law in 1994. The DSHEA amended (changed) the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to define and regulate dietary supplements as their own category of foods. DSHEA was passed by Congress because of overwhelming grass roots support from citizens who wanted to benefit from the healthy aspects of "vitamin pills." DSHEA defines dietary supplements as vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids, extracts, concentrates, metabolites, or a combination thereof. DSHEA defines the legal groundwork that governs the identity, benefits, manufacturing practices, and safety of dietary supplements.