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WASHINGTON D.C. — Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), the leading trade association representing the dietary supplement and functional food industry, is pleased to announce the launch of “Responsible. It’s Our Middle Name.,” a four-month celebration of self-regulation in the dietary supplement industry to recognize the association’s longstanding work in this area. The campaign will raise attention within the industry and among other stakeholders of the importance of self-regulation to maintain and improve consumer confidence and highlight many of CRN’s existing voluntary self-policing programs.
Since 1973, CRN has spearheaded initiatives to foster responsible practices that elevate member companies and the industry. The celebration will showcase the association's numerous self-regulatory initiatives that have included a Code of Ethics, The Supplement OWL (Online Wellness Library), a library of Voluntary Guidelines and Best Practices, the development of a Standardized Information on Dietary Ingredients (SIDI) Protocol and related guidelines, and a program to increase monitoring of dietary supplement advertising in partnership with the National Advertising Division of the Council of the Better Business Bureaus.
Earlier this year, CRN released two new voluntary guidelines: one for melatonin, and another for gummy form supplements, which both garnered widespread consumer press coverage due, in part, to the rise in the popularity of melatonin for sleep support and the popularity of gummy supplements among adults and children. These programs add to the large catalog of voluntary guidelines, best practices and “considerations” materials developed by CRN members to challenge the broader industry to develop, manufacture and market products of the highest quality and to give consumers accurate information to make smart choices for their supplement regimens.
Concurrently, the association has noticed a continuing lack of awareness by some healthcare professionals and mainstream media surrounding dietary supplement regulation with articles frequently containing quotes stating, "supplements are not regulated" or hyperbolic comments suggesting the industry operates as "the wild, wild West." As 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of DSHEA – the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act – the seminal federal law governing the industry, self-regulation has also played a prominent role in helping the industry grow. Along with the wealth of federal requirements and oversight by FDA, CRN members also commit to observe these voluntary programs that provide additional evidence of a well-regulated industry focused on its consumers.
The campaign begins immediately after Labor Day and will run through the end of 2024 with messaging incorporated into CRN's social media tools, website, member newsletters, bylines and podcasts. A social media kit highlighting responsible industry practices will be shared with members, and CRN's website will be refreshed to make the self-regulatory information more accessible for members and nonmembers alike. In addition, testimonials will be featured from members who have played integral roles in the CRN task forces and working groups that developed these measures to discuss why the work is important.
"The ongoing refrain and misinformation surrounding supplement regulation, along with the coverage we earned announcing our melatonin and gummy form guidelines, make this an opportune moment for this campaign," said CRN President and CEO Steve Mister. "With so many Americans safely using supplements, we hope to increase awareness among the general public on how self-regulation has bolstered the quality and safety of the industry with tailored safeguards that address our products' unique aspects, ensuring quality and consistency. While it does not replace FDA oversight, it complements and reinforces regulatory frameworks and our members are proud to uphold these practices in their daily work."
CRN has established a tiered system of self-regulatory directives with adherence to the most important provisions being requirements of CRN membership. Members are urged to comply with the remaining standards within a specified time frame after adoption and approval. All of the initiatives are designed to promote industry excellence and consumer confidence. Publication of these programs on CRN’s website invites all industry members to observe these standards and adhere to these programs as well.
"Establishing and adhering to robust industry standards is essential for demonstrating product integrity and building consumer confidence," said CRN Board Chair Tara Martin of Nutrawise. “I am very proud of the self-regulatory initiatives we have created at CRN. It's important for companies to come together—companies of different sizes, some focused on ingredients, others on finished products—and align on guidelines and standards that protect consumers and our industry's reputation. It's important work, and I'm delighted to be personally involved with it."
