2021 REPORT | EXECUTIVE SUMMARY | ADVOCATING | DEFENDING | STRENGTHENING | COMMUNICATING
CRN communicates directly with stakeholders, including consumers, to provide a narrative consistent with the safety and health benefits of our products.
80% of U.S. adults take dietary supplements. CRN announced findings from its 2021 Consumer Survey on Dietary Supplements, showing supplement use at its highest ever. The topline data CRN shared demonstrated supplements are widely and safely used by more than 200 million Americans. New this year is data from oversampling of Black, Hispanic, and Asian/Pacific Islander respondents to ensure there would be significant sample sizes of supplement users of color to analyze. Also new were questions about attitudes towards branded ingredients, which revealed insights on how consumers perceive the effectiveness and quality of branded versus generic ingredients. CRN has conducted its annual consumer survey for more than 20 years.
CRN delivered thought leadership through several published bylined articles on some of the timeliest issues facing the industry.
The CRN Foundation educated consumers about the value of vitamin D, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, through its Vitamin D & Me! campaign. The website presents resources for consumers on the science supporting a link between low vitamin D levels and the incidence and severity of COVID-19. This consumer education initiative is designed to raise the profile of vitamin D and the emerging evidence of the role vitamin D plays in immune health. The campaign has garnered more than 5.7 million impressions and CRN's Luke Huber, ND, MBA, discussed vitamin D and COVID-19 on an ABC News affiliate segment.
CRN, in collaboration with its Probiotics Working Group, unveiled the Probiotics: What’s Inside is Alive initiative. The content helps retailers understand the different labeling practices and unique storage and handling requirements of these live organisms.
CRN presented top experts in person and online for an array of educational and networking events:
- Legal, Regulatory, and Compliance Conference tackling in-depth issues like class action litigation, the drug preclusion provision, Prop 65 changes, and tariffs & trade barriers.
- WellComms, the premier conference for marketing and communications professionals in the supplement space presented speakers from McKinsey & Co., Edelman, Weber Shandwick, The Washington Post, and more.
- Now, New, Next, with an A-list line-up of speakers like political commentator Ron Brownstein, business visionary Suneel Gupta, economist Marci Rossell, and Dr. Freda Lewis-Hall, also provided networking and community building for members.
- CRN shared the "science behind the supplements" during its highly-acclaimed Science in Session symposium addressing women’s health issues with keynote speaker Tieraona Low Dog, MD, and a range of presenters who examined the unique needs of women for sleep health, dietary intakes, weight management, eye and brain health, estrogen balance, and chronic disease risk reduction. CRN and the American Society for Nutrition Foundation Scholars Program provided five ASN student members with educational awards to virtually attend.
Highlighted the role of supplements in the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
CRN takes industry education seriously. In addition to in-person events:
- CRN produced a quarterly podcast, Washington Watercooler, on the Supplyside Network 365.
- CRN hosted industry-wide webinars on hot topics including supply chain disruptions, staff shortages and meeting the changing consumer demand. In addition, webinars covering “The New Frontier for Claims: The Disease-ification of Anxiety, Mood & Sleep,” and “Counterfeit Dietary Supplements: Reducing Your Risk and Fighting Back,”provided industry stakeholders with expert guidance on timely challenges. CRN also presented webinars for members only on retail standards and government relations topics.
Industry education and community-building
- CRN held Executive Engagement sessions for senior executives in our member companies. These intimate symposia imparted the rich history of DSHEA, an overview of the supplement industry, and provided market insights and perspectives on industry’s relationship with news media and consumers. These immersive events gave our new executives a crash course on the culture, regulation and potential future for dietary supplements.
- New members joining CRN in 2021 were invited to participate in welcome webinars in small groups to jump start their engagement. CRN dedicated a staff member with more than 20 years of service to enhancing member experience.
CRN welcomed 25 new member companies and also grew its membership through acquisitions in 2021.
These companies joined CRN's diverse membership of companies, which bring to market safe, quality supplement and ingredients via an array of popular brands.
Through it all, CRN is there—protecting the industry and enhancing the environment for dietary supplements and functional food.
We can’t do any of this important work without the support of our members—and we heartily thank you for joining us in working toward an even brighter future. The more than 200 million Americans who use our products deserve—and expect—nothing less!
If you’re not yet a member of CRN, now’s the time to join.
Get started today at crnusa.org/join or by contacting Carl Hyland, CRN’s vice president of membership, at chyland@crnusa.org.
2021 REPORT | EXECUTIVE SUMMARY | ADVOCATING | DEFENDING | STRENGTHENING | COMMUNICATING
