INVESTING IN OUR INDUSTRY'S FUTURE
Government policies can either fuel innovation or create roadblocks. CRN was at the forefront of advocating for science-based policy, ensuring that lawmakers and regulators understand the value of dietary supplements both to the public health and the economy. In 2024, the team defeated restrictive legislation, defended commercial speech and supplement marketers’ First Amendment rights, and secured policy wins that protect consumer access while advancing smart regulation.
- CRN advanced its litigation arguing that New York’s state-imposed age restrictions on sales of certain supplements, based on truthful claims, are a violation of First Amendment protections for commercial speech.
- CRN fought back age restriction proposals in several other states including California, Massachusetts, Maryland, and New Jersey.
- CRN encouraged broader recognition of supplements in the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s recommendations to acknowledge their role in addressing nutrient gaps.
- CRN challenged USPSTF draft guidelines advising against vitamin D and calcium supplements, emphasizing their essential role in older adults’ health maintenance.
- CRN helped defeat a Codex global proposal that would have created unnecessary evidentiary demands associated with the use of the term ”probiotic.” Further discussion has been postponed until FAO and WHO can review the evidence.
- CRN relaunched the Congressional Dietary Supplement Caucus, hosting two briefings that highlighted CRN’s “Supplements to Savings” report and made the case for including supplements in FSAs/HSAs.
- CRN supported legislation for dietary supplements to be classified as “qualified medical expenses,” enabling pre-tax purchases through FSAs and HSAs to enhance affordability.
- CRN submitted comments to Health Canada, warning against proposed fee hikes that could stifle innovation, raise costs, and reduce consumer choice.
- CRN commented on FDA guidance on New Dietary Ingredient Notification (NDIN) procedures and timeframes and on FDA draft guidance on NDIN Master Files.
- CRN commented on the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) 2025–2029 strategic plan and strengthened relationships at ODS and the NIH Center for Complementary & Integrative Health.
COMMON GROUND | EXPANDING SELF-REGULATORY INITIATIVES | INFLUENCING PUBLIC POLICY | IMPROVING CONSUMER ACCESS | CULTIVATING POSITIVE PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS | EXPANDING MEMBERSHIP AND EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS
