PHOENIX, Oct. 13, 2022 – Barry W. Ritz, Ph.D., chairman, CRN Board of Directors, and VP and head, U.S. Regulatory, Scientific and Medical Affairs, Nestlé Health Science, U.S., addressed attendees of CRN’s Now, New, Next annual conference at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel and Conference Center on the topic, "Where do we go from here? The value of CRN"
Good morning!
It’s so wonderful to be with you, here at CRN’s annual Now New Next conference.
And it’s great to be back at the Arizona Biltmore. This is such a unique place, and it brings back great memories.
In fact, quick story, the last time I was here, I was sitting outside enjoying the fire pit, minding my own business, when who other than Martha Stewart sat down next to me. Honestly…I am not making this up.
I didn’t know what to do or say. I froze.
But this time I’m ready for her. I packed my hemp suit… just in case she brings her best friend Snoop Dogg with her this time.
You know, she has her own line of CBD gummies now, too. So we have something in common, a conversation starter.
When I took office as CRN’s Chair nearly two years ago, the world was still hunkered down due to the pandemic.
I certainly didn’t expect the first 5 of my 8 board meetings as chair to be virtual! That was not the plan!
But we didn’t let it stop us, or even slow us down.
We learned how to share screens, and some of us even mastered how to mute and unmute.
But more importantly, we stayed engaged. We listened to one another and built consensus. Even in a virtual environment, we had the necessary discussions and made the important decisions.
I always feel like I’m on a high after our CRN Board meetings, because we just get “it” done.
And I’m proud of the way we thoughtfully transitioned back to in-person meetings.
Here we are again at our annual conference, and it just feels right. Thank you for taking the time to be here with us. I know your time is precious.
We’re enjoying a great conference full of speakers with amazing insights, fun activities, and valuable networking opportunities.
I have the honor of addressing you now. It’s my turn. And I’d like to spend these next few minutes examining what we’ve accomplished, and what we can accomplish, when we work together and invest in CRN.
I want to address the real value of this organization. I always say you get out of CRN what you put into it.
So, let’s first talk about some of CRN’s recent accomplishments and ongoing efforts.
Then, I’ll give you a behind the scenes look at what makes our board of directors so special—and how you benefit from it.
And finally, we’ll celebrate how we’re all making a change for the better, through our Nutrition Access initiatives.
It is no small feat to protect and advance a business climate conducive to our unique industry—just like our mission says.
Over the past two years this industry encountered many obstacles big and small—sometimes it seems like mostly big!—that we overcame together as CRN.
I want to speak first to some big wins, including from our government relations and legal teams.
Because of the guidance of CRN’s Legal and Regulatory Affairs Committees, and a lot of legwork from our staff, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) remains available as a dietary supplement today, both in stores and online.
Make no mistake—while this matter is still not fully resolved, CRN is directly responsible for the significant progress made on NAC thus far. As a highly engaged stakeholder on this issue, I witnessed these efforts firsthand.
CRN fought and won battles in numerous statehouses against age restriction bills, and we’re still fighting the war. CRN’s critical role in such successes is evident—respectfully negotiating and listening to opposing viewpoints, bringing forward a fact- and science-driven approach, and lending credibility.
And of course, I have to mention mandatory product listing—good ol’ MPL.
CRN secured a seat at the table and worked with the Hill to propose legislation that would increase transparency and expose the bad actors who would tarnish our industry for a quick buck.
This year, CRN has laid the groundwork for an MPL that will serve this industry and our consumers, an MPL we can live with.
We are in a much better place on this issue because of CRN’s continued efforts.
CRN also worked behind the scenes to persuade a range of stakeholders of the need to harmonize retailer standards. Retailers are collaborating today to develop programs to share data and test results and allow auditors to satisfy multiple retailer programs with one audit.
We also rolled out Supplements to Savings, the new healthcare cost savings study (that you heard about yesterday) that shows policymakers how Americans can save money and live healthier lives with the targeted use of certain dietary supplements—because after all, nutrition is medicine.
Our accomplishments continue in our Science department with our first two Toxicology workshops, and the development of a white paper defending the safety of popular weight management ingredients.
CRN made an impact on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans with express recognition of the role of supplementation for special populations and identification of nutrients of concern.
We have continued our leadership in self-regulation with new Best Practices for dosage form development and for labeling proprietary blends.
When it comes to consumer education, CRN has launched two educational initiatives: one on probiotics, and another on vitamin D and COVID-19.
Just as important, we held the FDA accountable for its recent Supplement Your Knowledge education campaign, calling out the Agency on its skewed
view of dietary supplements in which they make a whopping 65 mentions of risk yet only 15 mentions of benefit.
Over the past two years, CRN has revitalized its Sports Nutrition working group, created a new Healthcare Practitioner Channel Forum, and began hosting
Executive Engagements for senior executives who are new to the supplement industry.
These are just a few of the accomplishments to which I have been privileged to have a front row seat.
Just as valuable though is the individual attention CRN gives each member. Whenever I have a question, a concern, or a problem—I make one call to CRN staff and I know they’re “on it.”
Sure, it could be because I’m the chair—but I know that’s not the reason. How many of you have experienced the same thing? When we as members bring a problem to CRN, they act.
So, thank you to the CRN staff. You’re amazing. I don’t know how you do it, but I know our industry couldn’t thrive without you.
But a competent and responsive staff is only one part of CRN’s value.
Next, I want to acknowledge the CRN Executive Committee and Board of Directors. Could past and present Board members stand up for a moment?
Thank you for your service.
Despite serving on the board for over a decade—it’s true—you get a completely different view of what’s happening from the captain’s chair. And from this view, I can see the work of governance wouldn’t happen without a strong, capable, dedicated board of directors.
When I think about what has meant the most to me during my time as your board chair, it’s the encouragement and collegiality from other board members.
We’re all competitors, but we collaborate for the common good of this industry.
During my two years as chair, you have taken time to offer a kind word or positive reinforcement.
You kept board meetings lively and stimulating, and yes, even fun.
This board is active, informed, and shows up with opinions—lots of ’em.
It’s a challenge to create an environment where people can discuss sensitive topics and reach a decision – especially when people have strong feelings on both sides of any given issue.
But we do it. And we do it well, because we respect one another.
I think we’ve run a pretty tight ship. And that ship set sail with some much-needed housekeeping.
Let’s be honest here—infrastructure is easy to ignore until it fails. But this board of directors didn’t let it fail.
Our board updated CRN’s 3-year strategic plan to keep it relevant and meaningful during quickly changing times.
We revised the bylaws—including CRN’s Code of Ethics and membership qualifications to provide structure and guardrails for membership decisions.
In response to CRN’s changing needs, we modified the investment strategy for CRN’s reserve funds.
And perhaps most significantly, the board overhauled CRN’s dues structure. It’s not sexy, but it’s important.
Without revenue, CRN could not do the invaluable work it does. After months of review by our Dues Task Force, the board created a new dues structure that is more equitable, more attractive to smaller companies, and sets the association on a course for continued growth and a healthy future as the industry grows.
And if you’ll allow me to say so, we did it all rather seamlessly. Thank you for being willing to address these responsibilities head-on and with confidence.
I’m proud to say—over the past 2 years—we have practiced excellent board governance.
A board of directors willing to tackle the tough issues that move us all forward as an organization and industry?
That, too, is only part of CRN’s value.
Finally, what I’m perhaps most proud of during my time as chair is getting corporate social responsibility cemented into CRN’s Vision and 3-year strategic plan.
And it wasn’t something that happened overnight. Four or 5 years ago, a group of us went to the bar after CRN’s Day on The Hill… as we sometimes do.
I remember the conversation: “We try this every year. We keep lobbying the government to close nutrition gaps, and nothing happens. So, if the government isn’t going to address it, why don’t we just improve access to safe, nutritional products and reliable information ourselves?”
Why don’t we, as an industry, band together and solve this problem?
Don’t we have that obligation?
Since that day, getting CRN and our members to tackle nutrition access in a real way has been a calling for me.
That’s why my first act as board chair was to create a task force to identify ways to engage as an industry.
I knew people like Micah Osborne and Bruce Brown would be receptive to the idea. Others quickly followed. Thank you to all those who answered the call.
We immediately knew we wanted to celebrate the good work already being done and inspire and equip others to do the same.
We identified and vetted partners for companies looking for ways to get involved and set up a scientific advisory board to drive our educational and program development.
We launched Act 4 Access—a call to action for individuals and companies to engage in nutrition access initiatives, and to share those experiences as a model for others.
And you responded with the biggest enthusiasm to serve.
I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing the posts, witnessing each other’s efforts, and that you have been filled with a sense of gratitude and humility.
Act4Access is just the beginning of something I hope will continue to grow and evolve.
We demonstrated how our collective strength as an organization and an industry can have a real impact.
That’s why I’m asking you to join me and your CRN colleagues later today as we volunteer at St. Mary's Food Bank, the world’s first food bank, right here in Phoenix.
We will be packing more than 1,400 emergency food boxes for distribution throughout Arizona to families in need.
One more thing about nutrition access...
Two weeks ago, the White House hosted a Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health—for the first time since 1969—to explore new ways to address hunger and food insecurity.
Now…I’m not saying President Biden copied us…but I’m not not saying it.
Of course, CRN participated in a series of listening sessions throughout the summer and submitted recommendations to the White House Conference. We have called on the Administration and Congress:
- To include multivitamins in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Plan (or “SNAP”) benefits;
- To update the Dietary Reference Intakes and establish new DRIs for more nutrients and bioactives;
- To develop initiatives to educate about the bioactive role dietary supplements can play in filling nutrient gaps; and
- To promote private sector initiatives and partnerships to increase nutrition access.
Being part of a community that takes action to do good—we can now say that is part of CRN’s value.
In closing, in my two years as Chair, I’ve found the role to be much like dietary supplements themselves—the benefits far outweigh any potential risks.
But what’s at risk if we don’t continue the work of CRN?
Where do we go from here?
Soon it will be time for me to pass the baton to our Chair Elect, Tara Martin.
Let me tell you what I’ve learned about Tara…she won’t just show up for the board meetings.
She’ll do the work before—and after—to keep the association focused on our goals. She’s one of those leaders who doesn’t speak just to hear her own voice. It’s with purpose.
Tara has become someone I trust—and I trust she will do an excellent job in the role as chair. (Probably not better than me- but you know, managing expectations.)
But seriously—Tara will do great, and I know you will give her the same support you have given me.
And there is still so much work to do!
CRN’s leadership is as critical as ever…
To keep demonstrating the value and safety of dietary supplements and functional foods
To work with policy makers to improve access and ensure quality across the entire marketplace
To create a more transparent industry for our consumers
And to build a stronger, more unified industry.
So, again, I ask—where do we go from here?
Most of that depends on you.
We’re in a time of inflation and a time of consolidation. Global markets are promising, but uncertain. Financial interests from investors apply pressure to cut costs.
In an effort to trim the bottom line, some companies ask whether membership in CRN is “worth it.”
So, it’s on you to champion CRN and tell them, “Yes, CRN is worth the investment.”
During a particularly introspective discussion among the Board last winter, we came to the Voltaire-like conclusion that if CRN did not exist, the industry would have to create it.
No one else fills the vital role that CRN plays.
CRN is laser-focused on dietary supplements. We have the depth of staff expertise and credibility to speak persuasively to our detractors and critics.
CRN understands how to navigate policy and politics.
CRN has the wherewithal to challenge FDA in its missteps and hold it accountable.
CRN digs into the science and speaks honestly and with authority.
Last year, I stood on this stage and said, “Foresight, courage, and leadership are needed to secure CRN’s and this industry’s future success.”
That remains true. But there’s one more thing…your support.
CRN can’t do it without you.
Are you championing CRN at your company?
Are you involved in a CRN committee, task force, or working group?
Are you referring other companies to CRN for membership?
The value of CRN is not its staff, not the board of directors, and not our individual actions. It’s all of these things working together that make our industry strong.
I said it once and I’ll say it again—you get out of CRN what you put into it. So we need YOU in order to realize CRN’s full potential.
Thank you.