For Retailers - May 2021

Past Editions—Need to Know Archives

In this issue:

1. Consumer education website on vitamin D and COVID-19 launches
2. New assets now available from CRN’s retailer education campaign on probiotics
3. Recent report offers key insights on 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines
4. Register today: WellComms, the premiere conference for communications and marketing professionals in the wellness industry

Keep reading for the latest on CRN initiatives and upcoming events.

Consumer education website on vitamin D and COVID-19 launches

Last week, the CRN Foundation launched “Vitamin D & Me!” – a consumer education website on vitamin D and COVID-19. Vitamin D & Me! presents research, expert video interviews, news, and education in a user-friendly format, focusing on U.S. consumers 55 and older.

Vitamin D &Me! includes:

• Review of clinical studies on vitamin D and COVID-19
• Media reports on vitamin D and COVID-19
• Educational content about vitamin D
• “Meet the Experts” video interviews with researchers and clinicians

Learn more about the campaign at www.vitamindandme.org and contact CRN’s Kendall Ridley with questions.

New assets now available from CRN’s retailer education campaign on probiotics

Probiotics are living organisms. Unique from other dietary supplements, these products require different labeling practices, as well as unique storage and handling requirements. In March 2021, CRN launched the initiative “Probiotics: What’s Inside is Alive” to educate retail buyers and customers about the intricacies of these living organisms. The education program helps retail buyers better curate their offerings, improve retailer handling of probiotics, and educate customers about the benefits of probiotics.

Recent updates to the campaign feature a new infographic and video made specifically for consumers and for the retailers who work directly with consumers, such as in-store dietitians, pharmacists and sales associates. The campaign also features a new reference document for retail buyers, “Ten Questions to Ask your Vendors About their Probiotic Supplements.” 

Download the complete set of campaign assets available now:

• The Retail Buyer’s Guide: Provides guidance on labeling probiotic identity, quantity, and viability; storage and handling practices; the various benefits of probiotics, consumer usage data and other need-to-know information
• Scientific White Paper: Provides a deeper dive into the the science behind probiotics, building on information provided in the Retail Buyer's Guide
• Infographics: Highlight need-to-know information for retail buyers and consumers, including tips to help make smart probiotic purchasing decisions and to find reliable information about these products
  • For Retail Buyers
  • For Consumers
• Educational Videos: Short explainer videos to help retail buyers and consumers understand how probiotics are different from other dietary supplements
  • For Retail Buyers
  • For Consumers
• Vendor questionnaires: Cheat sheets to help retail buyers easily reference important questions to ask vendors
  • One Pager: “Ten Questions to Ask your Vendors About their Probiotic Supplements”
  • Ten Questions with added visuals

Look for campaign updates at www.crnusa.org/probiotics and in upcoming communications from CRN. Contact Holly Vogtman with any questions.

Recent report offers key insights on 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines

On December 29, 2020, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Department of Health and Human Services jointly published the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. A fundamental premise of the Dietary Guidelines is that nutritional needs should be met primarily from foods and beverages. However, the Guidelines do recognize that dietary supplements may be useful in providing nutrients that otherwise may be consumed in less than recommended amounts or that are of particular concern for specific population groups.

In the past decade, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans have gradually increased their mention of dietary supplements. CRN’s recent report highlights key insights on these changes.

The newest Dietary Guidelines edition (ninth) is the first to provide recommendations for all life stages, with the addition of infants and toddlers, and pregnant and lactating women. CRN's report highlights these unique nutritional needs and includes a quick-reference table comparing dietary supplement mentions for each group in the past three Guidelines editions. 

Read more insights about the 2020-2025 Guidelines here and contact Holly Vogtman with any questions.

Register today: Wellcomms, the premiere conference for communications and marketing professionals in the wellness industry

Don’t miss CRN’s conference for communications and marketing professionals in wellness industries. Previously only available to members of CRN, WellComms is open to all in 2021.

The event brings together professional marketers and communicators in the wellness industry for a forward-thinking conference experience, including a session from Edelman's Jennifer Hauser, general manager of its health and wellness communications practice, and Alison Borgmeyer, MS, RD, general manager of the Edelman Food & Beverage Center of Excellence, on communicating trust to consumers in a post-pandemic world.

Additional topics include:

• Emerging trends in the business of wellness
• Getting your team to work smarter, not harder
• Revelations from reporters on what gets their attention—and their coverage— in 2021
• “The Situation Room” – solving your workplace dramas in real time, featuring the Washington Post's Work Advice columnist, Karla L. Miller

Using code KNOWWITHCRN10, Need to Know readers can enjoy 10% off registration. Two or more registrations from the same company also receive 10% off. As always, CRN members receive special pricing.

Sponsorship opportunities are available. Please contact Carl Hyland to connect your company with this influential audience.