WASHINGTON, D.C., April 28, 2008 —In response to a joint citizen's petition filed by the American Dietetic Association (ADA), The Obesity Society, Shaping America's Health and GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare, LP, which asks the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat weight loss claims for dietary supplements as disease claims, the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), the leading trade association representing the dietary supplement industry, issued the following statement.

Statement by Steve Mister, President and CEO:

"CRN plans to oppose this petition to re-classify weight loss claims as either disease claims or health claims requiring FDA approval.   We believe weight loss claims are legitimate and appropriate claims for products in the dietary supplement category, provided these products have substantiation to support the truthfulness of these claims.   FDA has made it clear that it considers weight loss claims appropriate and permissible under the Dietary Supplement Health & Education Act (DSHEA)--meaning that manufacturers should not have to seek the Agency's approval before making these claims. Therefore, CRN intends to vigorously defend the industry's rights in this area."  

CRN has no further comment at this time.  

The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), founded in 1973 and based in Washington, D.C., is the leading trade association representing dietary supplement industry ingredient suppliers and manufacturers. CRN members adhere to a strong code of ethics and manufacture dietary supplements to high quality standards under good manufacturing practices.