1. Home
  2. Need to Know
  3. Aug 2020

For Retailers - August 2020

New Dietary Guidelines Report recognizes the role dietary supplements play in supporting the health of Americans

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently released the Scientific Report of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC), which informs the Departments’ development of the 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans to be released later this year. 

The 2020 Scientific Report identifies the role dietary supplements can play to support the health of Americans and how they can help various U.S. population groups that cannot achieve recommended nutrient levels from food alone. For the first time, the Report acknowledges how nutrient needs during pregnancy and lactation life stages are not expected to be met by dietary intake alone, especially for essential nutrients like iron, iodine, and folic acid, and it identifies that the nutritional needs of pregnancy and of lactation are different. The report also makes dietary recommendations for children under two years old.  Read more in CRN's press release - New Dietary Guidelines Report Recognizes Role of Dietary Supplements During Pregnancy and Lactation.

 

Additional findings from the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee

  • Vitamins A, C, D, E, and K, calcium, magnesium, dietary fiber, choline, and potassium identified as under consumed nutrients, meaning they are “consumed by many individuals in amounts below the Estimated Average Requirement or Adequate Intake levels”
  • Vitamin D, iron, calcium, dietary fiber, and potassium remain included as nutrients of public health concern, as they continue to be consistently under consumed by the U.S. population and under consumption is linked to adverse health outcomes
  • Vitamin D listed as nutrient of public health concern for all ages and genders 
  • Iron listed as nutrient of public health concern for adolescent females and pregnant women
  • Recommends consumers discuss vitamin D and iron supplementation with a healthcare provider

Questions about the Committee’s recent report or on the development of the 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans? Reach out to Holly Vogtman.

 

Dietary supplement usage increases during COVID-19 pandemic, says new Ipsos-CRN survey

More than two in five (43 percent) of dietary supplement users have changed their supplement routines since the start of the pandemic, according to CRN's COVID-19 Consumer Survey on Dietary Supplements. Among those supplement users who altered their regimens due to the pandemic, 91 percent report increasing their supplement intake in some way. 

The COVID-19 survey demonstrates how dietary supplement usage has changed since the start of the pandemic; which ingredients supplement users have increased or decreased; reasons for increasing/decreasing supplement usage; purchasing habits; impact on other lifestyle behaviors; and more. Check out CRN's press release with topline findings and read on for survey insights specifically for retailers. Contact Holly Vogtman for survey details or purchasing information. 

 

Data for retailers: COVID is changing consumer behavior 


Consumer purchasing habits in light of the pandemic
As consumers face store closures and supply shortages throughout the pandemic, some supplement users report shifting to purchasing online, stocking up, and getting supplements delivered. Two in five supplement users report shifting to online supplement purchases since the pandemic began (38 percent) and 35 percent report stocking up so they always have a supply. 

Why and what supplement users are taking more of during COVID-19
Results show that overall immune support (57 percent) and health/wellness benefits (53 percent) are the most common reasons why users have increased their intake during the pandemic. As for ingredients, the multivitamin (59 percent), vitamin C (44 percent) and vitamin D (37 percent) have seen the highest boost in supplement intake during COVID-19.

Misinformation in light of the pandemic - reminder for retailers and consumers
CRN’S COVID-19 survey found that nearly two in five (38 percent) Americans report that they have heard or read that there are dietary supplements that can possibly prevent or treat COVID-19. While dietary supplements do play a critical role in supporting overall health and wellness, it is important for industry, retailers and consumers to remember that no supplement may claim to treat, cure or prevent coronavirus or any other disease. Legal actions by FDA and FTC targeting these products highlights to consumers to be vigilant against fraudulent claims. Any product labeled as a dietary supplement that makes such claims is illegal and should be avoided.

FDA Resources for Retailers:

CRN Resources for Retailers: