Past Editions—Need to Know Archives
Connect with Steve Mister at NACDS Annual
The NACDS Annual is set for April 23 to 26 at The Breakers, and Steve Mister, CRN’s President & CEO, will be there.
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Got questions about regulatory changes in the dietary supplement market?
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Wondering how other retailers are implementing their own inspections and product testing requirements?
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What are the latest ingredient and category trends in the supplement aisle?
Steve would be happy to answer your questions and get you up-to-date on what’s happening in the dietary supplement and functional food industry that may affect your offerings. If you would like to schedule a few minutes with Steve, please email and let us know.
Get in touch: Contact Steve via email—smister@crnusa.org—or connect on LinkedIn.
Age restrictions may be coming to supplements at the state level
CRN is actively engaged in the legislation in California, AB 1341, having vigorously opposed age restriction proposals for years in several states. The bill would prohibit the sale of weight management supplements to anyone under 18 years old and require these products are kepts in a locked case. CRN has opposed AB 1341’s current legislative text and testified at last year’s Assembly Health hearing. We are working closely with the California Retailers Association on this issue.
What’s next: AB 1341 passed the California State Assembly in January, the legislation will now advance to the California State Senate for further consideration.
CRN has proposed a compromise bill that would still require retailers to limit sales of these weight-loss products to minors but would not require behind-the-counter or other restrictions on display. It also narrows and clarifies what products are covered and eliminates liability for retail clerk or inadvertently make a sale.
“We truly appreciate the sponsor’s willingness to discuss our concerns,” said CRN Vice President, Government Relations, Julia Gustafson, appearing in Natural Products Insider coverage. “And we look forward to further dialogue with Assemblymember Garcia as the bill works through the legislative process.”
CRN remains focused on protecting and defending the responsible players in sports nutrition. Luke Huber, ND, MBA, vice president, scientific and regulatory affairs recently co-authored an update in Nutrition Industry Executive on how our Sports Nutrition Working Group is fighting misinformation and overly restrictive proposals that would limit access to safe, beneficial products.
VITAL results highlight value of vitamin D and fish oil supplementation
Vitamin D and omega-3 supplementation protected people over 50 against developing autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and inflammatory bowel disease, according to a study recently published in BMJ.
“This is compelling research that has real-world implications for many Americans,” CRN’s Andrea Wong, Ph.D., says in WholeFoods Magazine. “The prevalence of autoimmune diseases is on the rise, and these diseases can cause serious tissue and organ damage.”
Game changer: “Data showing that supplementing with two commonly available and important nutrients, vitamin D and omega-3, could reduce incidence rates is a real game-changer,” says Dr. Wong in Nutraceuticals World. “Treatment today is all focused on symptom management, and managing immune responses within the body. To prevent the disease from manifesting in the first place is critical.”
By the numbers: The good news comes from the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled “VITAL” study involving the following study population, intervention, duration and results:
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25,871 men and women 50 and older
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2,000 IU vitamin D3 and/or
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1,000 mg omega-3 fatty acids
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5+ years of supplementation
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22% lower relative rate of confirmed autoimmune diagnoses in those supplemented with vitamin D.
The lower relative rate dropped to 39% after subjects took vitamin D for at least two years. The study reported a 15% lower relative rate in those that supplemented with omega-3s (not statistically significant).
See additional coverage via HealthDay News and CNN
Go deeper: More science-based news about vitamin D is available on the CRN Foundation’s Vitamin D & Me! website.
2021 Annual Report: CRN elevates the supplement and functional food industry
Dietary supplements and functional foods are not just another consumer product goods (CPG) category. They represent a whole different way of looking at wellness—and empower consumers to take charge of their health.
With this unprecedented potential to serve consumers the dietary supplement industry needs CRN's thoughtful collaboration, carefully executed strategic advocacy, and accessible, inclusive stakeholder education.
CRN’s work in 2021 demonstrated our longstanding commitment and focused expertise to advance the dietary supplement and functional food industry in four key areas:
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Advocating for new tools to strengthen FDA’s toolbox, while at the same time preserving the fundamental principles that built this industry—and being mindful of what’s possible in the current political environment.
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Defending against actors who would step into the role of regulator and guiding their action in productive ways.
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Strengthening self-regulation to show the maturity and integrity of the industry.
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Communicating directly with stakeholders, including consumers, to provide a narrative consistent with the safety and health benefits of our products.
Review the full 2021 annual report on CRN’s website, including a video playlist and printable executive summary.