WASHINGTON, D.C., May 26, 2009 – The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), the leading trade association representing the dietary supplement industry, issued the following statement regarding the confirmation of Dr. Margaret Hamburg to the post of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner.

Statement from Steve Mister, president and CEO, CRN:

“CRN welcomes the confirmation of Dr. Margaret Hamburg to the post of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner. We are encouraged by Dr. Hamburg’s career focus on public health. As the healthcare debate continues, we hope that Dr. Hamburg will use her powers as Commissioner to bring increased focus to preventative healthcare, rather than the sick-care model that currently dominates the healthcare system in this country. 

Though Dr. Hamburg openly acknowledged during her Senate confirmation hearings that she has not been deeply involved with dietary supplement issues in the past, we look forward to the opportunity to work with Dr. Hamburg to educate her on the dietary supplement industry and the appropriate role that dietary supplements play in an overall healthy lifestyle. CRN further looks forward to working with Dr. Hamburg to restore consumer confidence in the Agency.  The more than 150 million Americans who use dietary supplements each year need to have confidence not only in the companies that make dietary supplements, but also in the Agency that enforces the regulations and laws by which these products are made.”  

Note to Editor: The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), founded in 1973, is a Washington, D.C.-based trade association representing dietary supplement manufacturers and ingredient suppliers. In addition to complying with a host of federal and state regulations governing dietary supplements, CRN members also agree to adhere to voluntary guidelines for manufacturing, marketing and CRN’s Code of Ethics. Visit www.crnusa.org.