OCTOBER 12, 2022
WASHINGTON—The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), the leading trade association representing the dietary supplement and functional food industry, responds to a Wall Street Journal article which mischaracterizes adult gummy supplements and vitamins.
Andrea Wong, Ph.D., CRN’s senior vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs, offered the following comments in response:
“Supplements come in a variety of forms—pills, tablets, capsules, liquids, powders, chewables, and gummies—to meet various consumer needs and preferences. Gummies can be a helpful option for those who have difficulty swallowing pills, are looking for more innovative delivery forms, or just don’t like traditional tablets and capsules. Consumers are encouraged to carefully review labels for nutrition information to help them select the products and the serving amounts that best suit their needs. Dietary supplement labels provide clear directions for their use and purpose, including the amount that should be consumed.
“While a balanced nutritious diet is important, government research shows most Americans do not get all the nutrients they need from food alone, and supplementation is a critical tool to help meet these needs. Additionally, specific nutrient requirements at different life stages, under particular health conditions, or those taking certain medications, may necessitate the use of dietary supplements. Having a wide range of delivery forms available for consumers to choose from allows more access to essential nutrients and other beneficial ingredients that are important for optimal health. Consumers should consult their doctors or other healthcare professionals to determine what types of supplements are appropriate for them.”
The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), founded in 1973, is a Washington, D.C.-based trade association representing more than 200 dietary supplement and functional food manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, and companies providing services to those manufacturers and suppliers. In addition to complying with a host of federal and state regulations governing dietary supplements and food in the areas of manufacturing, marketing, quality control and safety, our manufacturer and supplier members also agree to adhere to additional voluntary guidelines as well as to CRN’s Code of Ethics. For more information, visit www.crnusa.org. Follow us on Twitter @CRN_Supplements and LinkedIn.