Final answer:
The FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) must approve a supplement before it is sold. It regulates supplements like food and does not pre-approve their health claims, requiring a disclaimer instead. Supplements can be removed from the market if the FDA deems them hazardous.
Step-by-step explanation:
The organization that must approve a supplement prior to it being sold is the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration). The FDA is a federal agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services tasked with the regulation and supervision of dietary supplements, among other responsibilities. While it regulates supplements, it does so by treating them like food rather than pharmaceuticals, setting requirements for manufacturers to meet Good Manufacturing Standards. However, it does not pre-approve the efficacy and safety claims of supplements before they enter the market, as it does with prescription drugs. Supplement manufacturers can make certain health claims, but these are not approved by the FDA and must include a disclaimer that the product is not intended "to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease". It's important to note that in the United States, supplements can only be removed from the market after the FDA has proven that they are hazardous.