If you’re attending CRN’s annual event, download the CRN 2016 mobile app to get access to all things Conference right on your smartphone. Make the most of your conference experience by building a personalized schedule, bookmark sessions you plan to attend, check out the speaker bios and connect with friends and colleagues! The app can be downloaded on both Apple and Android devices.

Questions about the app? Contact Gretchen Powers at gpowers@crnusa.org.

The use of dietary supplements among U.S. adults remained stable between 1999 and 2012, according to a new study published in JAMA. Indicating 52% of Americans reported using supplements, the study’s findings closely align with the results of CRN’s annual research. Observing a slight difference in figures, CRN’s Judy Blatman noted “The JAMAstudylooked at usage within the past 30 days, while CRN’s surveys asked consumers to identify themselves as a regular, seasonal or occasional user, past user, or non-user, which may be a more practical reflection of how consumers view their supplement use."

New observational research out of Johns Hopkins University suggests calcium supplements may play a role in coronary artery calcification. The study, published in the Oct. 10 issue of the Journal of the American Heart Association, found an association between individuals taking calcium supplements and an increase of plaque build-up in arteries and an increased risk of heart disease. In a prompt response from CRN, Duffy MacKay cited several alternative studies that found different outcomes, confirming the safety of calcium supplements.

CRN has submitted comments to the Congressional Task Force on Economic Growth in Puerto Rico regarding PR Administrative Order (AO) 346, legislation that would unfairly tax dietary supplements manufactured or sold in the U.S. territory. CRN declared the AO was “misguided” and “penalizes an industry that provides health and wellness to consumers,” placing financial burdens on supplement manufacturers and consumers.

Thanks, in part, to CRN’s efforts, the Puerto Rico Secretary of Health, Ana Ríus Armendáriz, M.D., announced in September that the Department of Health would not enforce AO 346.

For more information, contact Ingrid Lebert (202-204-7699)

CRN has released an NDI backgrounder, providing explanation and perspective on the new draft guidance from FDA. The document, available to the public, presents an overview of DSHEA, the concerns raised by CRN in response to the new draft, and a glimpse at what’s expected to come from FDA’s implementation of the NDI requirements. It was produced particularly to assist members of Congress, state AGs and other policy makers who want to learn more about the NDI issue.

Deerland Enzymes welcomed several elected officials and community leaders to the ribbon cutting ceremony of its new, state of the art facility dedicated solely to probiotics in Kennesaw, Georgia. Roughly 30-40 people were on hand to applaud the ribbon-cutting, hear remarks and congratulations from Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA), Kennesaw Mayor Derek Easterling, Cobb County Chamber of Commerce President David Connell, and enjoy a site tour. Read more...

Five companies have joined the CRN membership roster, strengthening the association’s voice in the industry. These companies include: Voting Members - ChromaDex, Mazza Innovation Ltd, New Avon LLC, Tishcon Corp.; and Associate Member - Smidt Labs, LLC. Since the start of 2016, CRN has welcomed twenty other member companies, illustrating the organization’s significant growth and development. To see a full list of members, click here.

“Physicians should recognize that food comes first, but supplements can complement the American diet.”

—CRN’s Steve Mister in Nutraceuticals World, “U.S. Supplement Use Remains Stable”

What else did CRN have to say?

CRN has submitted comments to the Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses (CCNFSDU) electronic Working Group (eWG) chaired by the Russian Federation and Chile in regard to a proposed nutrient reference value —non-communicable disease (NRV-NCD) value for omega-3 fatty acids (DHA+EPA). Comments referenced the current recommendations set by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), a 250 mg intake of EPA and DHA per day for the general adult population to decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease. CRN has submitted written comments on this issue on two previous consultation papers (June 2015 and August 2015), copies of which are on the CRN Members Only ITMDC Information Center. CRN’s comments can be read here, with translations in both Spanish and Russian available here. For more information, contact Jim Griffiths (202-204-7622).

Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses (CCNFSDU) electronic Working Group (eWG) chaired by the Russian Federation and Chile in regard to a proposed nutrient reference value—non-communicable disease (NRV-NCD) value for omega-3 fatty acids (DHA+EPA). Comments referenced the current recommendations set by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), a 250 mg intake of EPA and DHA per day for the general adult population to decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease. CRN has submitted written comments on this issue on two previous consultation papers (June 2015 and August 2015), copies of which are on the CRN Members Only ITMDC Information Center. CRN’s comments can be read here, with translations in both Spanish and Russian available here. For more information, contact Jim Griffiths (202-204-7622).

As part of its alliance building initiative, CRN sponsored an event on Sunday, Oct.16, hosted by BuildUp, a network of registered dietitians (RDs) and RD students who stand for science. The goal of the event, held in conjunction with the 2016 Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo in Boston, was to connect RDs and soon-to-be RDs with science-based industry organizations. One of 17 sponsors, CRN was represented by Nancy Weindruch, senior director, communications, at the event where nearly 90 RDs were in attendance.

In a study by the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research, the effects of soy protein with isoflavones were observed to be possibly beneficial to bone health in women during the early stages of menopause. A double-blind, randomized parallel study was conducted, in which 200 women within two years after the onset of menopause were given 15 g soy protein with 66 mg isoflavone (SPI) or 15 g soy protein alone (SP), daily for six months. In addition to bone turnover makers, the group undergoing SPI supplementation was observed to experience significant reduction in fasting glucose, fasting insulin, insulin resistance, and systolic blood pressure. Learn more about the results by reading the full abstract here.

See CRN's Research Watch for additional studies.

The International Probiotics Association (IPA) invites CRN members to attend a one-day regulatory and scientific workshop for probiotics to be held in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 2. IPA has generously granted its member pricing to all CRN members, bringing down the cost of the event to $149. For more information, please contact Andrea Wong (202-204-7660).

Hope to see you at CRN’s Workshop and Conference, Oct. 26–29!

October 26
The Workshop: CRN’s Day of Science
Dana Point, CA
—CRN Staff

October 26–29
The Conference: CRN’s Annual Symposium for the Dietary Supplement Industry
Dana Point, CA
—CRN Staff

October 30–November 3
Academy of Integrated Health and Medicine (AIHM) Annual Conference
San Diego, CA
—Blatman; MacKay (presenting)

November 1
Obesity Society Forum
New Orleans, LA
—Mister (presenting)

November 2
Webinar: The Future of Supplements: Quality. Efficacy. Transparency
—Mister (presenting)

November 8
Food Supplements LATAM Regional Forum
Panama City, Panama
—Greene (presenting)

November 9–12
Prospective Member Meetings
Northern California
—Hyland; Mister

November 10
Personal Care Products Council California Emerging Issues Conference
Los Angeles, CA
—Greene (presenting)

November 12–13
RAGA Fall National Meeting
Austin, TX
—Al-Mondhiry

November 14–16
Food Industry Association Executives Annual Conference
Austin, TX
—Greene

November 15–16
Nonprofit Finance & Accounting Summit
Washington, DC
—Khouri

November 16
Dietary Supplement Election Overview Webinar
Washington, DC
—CRN Staff

November 29–30
Conference of Western Attorneys General (CWAG) Winter Meeting
Fort Lauderdale, FL
—Al-Mondhiry

December 2
CRN-I Scientific Symposium
Hamburg, Germany
—English; Griffiths (moderating)

SEE FULL CALENDAR