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WASHINGTON — Five of the major trade associations representing the dietary supplements industry – American Herbal Products Assoc. (AHPA), Consumer Healthcare Products Assoc. (CHPA), the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), Natural Products Assoc. (NPA) and United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA) – today announced their unified support of the re-establishment of the Congressional Dietary Supplement Caucus (CDSC). The caucus’ request for registration as a Congressional Member Organization (CMO) for the 118th Congress was led by co-chairs Rep. John Curtis (R-Utah) and Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D-Calif.).
The bipartisan group serves as a forum for the exchange of new ideas and information related to dietary supplements and will conduct educational briefings to inform members of Congress and their staff about the evolving legislative and regulatory landscape facing the industry today. More than 30 members of Congress are anticipated to comprise the caucus.
In an official request to the Committee on House Administration, the lawmakers said the reformation of the caucus was “to discuss…the benefits of dietary supplements, provide tips and insights for better health and wellness, and to promote research into the health care savings these products provide.” They added that “the caucus seeks to enhance Congressional attention to the role of supplements in promotion, disease prevention and address the regulation of the supplement industry.”
Some of the issues that may be focused on this year include reform of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), expansion of Flexible Spending Account/Health Savings Account (FSA/HSA) regulations to include supplements as qualified reimbursable expenses, and funding for greater oversight by FDA.
“I am pleased to re-launch this caucus with Representative Cárdenas,” said Rep. Curtis. “The dietary supplements industry is one of the largest industries in Utah and this caucus will serve as an important platform to educate others about the industry and policies that help promote healthy lifestyles.”
“I am thrilled to reestablish the Congressional Dietary Supplement Caucus in the 118th Congress,” said Congressman Cárdenas. “As Co-Chair, I am eager to foster a space for discussion about the many benefits of dietary supplements, the vital role that suppliers and manufacturers play in broadening nutritional options for consumers, and the importance of meaningful research on these issues. I believe this caucus will allow robust discussion that will culminate into action that betters the wellness of so many across the country.”
