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Tools The Report is published by the President and CEO: Writer: Gretchen Powers Web Design and Development: ©2009 |
The Report ~ October 30, 2009 ~
SPECIAL EDITION: The Workshop & The Conference Re-cap
(Following Science and Supplements)
CRN Chair sets positive tone for annual conference, coming year “We’ve had change in Washington, we’ve had change internationally, and this change can work to our benefit or our detriment, depending upon which course of action we take from this moment on. If we agree to collaborate, small companies, large companies, with institutions around the world, including our own government, and work side by side in the spirit of transparency and cooperation to achieve the end point, which is to enrich the world to invest in nutrition, I would say our future is very bright,” CRN Board Chairman Mark LeDoux, National Alternatives International, Inc., said during his address to attendees of The Conference last week. Mr. LeDoux commended the association and the responsible companies that comprise its membership, saying, “If we look at what CRN has been engaged in these past several years, it’s no secret that we have now assumed and retained the leadership role when it comes to issues of concern in the media. What CRN has historically provided is a fabric of scientific credibility…” Mr. LeDoux encouraged CRN members to fully engage in the association’s many efforts and initiatives and to get colleagues involved. “CRN provides the capacity to have a cogent discussion with thought makers, and thought leaders, and regulators that will make a difference in the welfare of the lives of millions. So we are called to be leaders, not just participants, and we are called to hold each other accountable,” he said. He underscored the responsibility of CRN members to be leaders in improving people’s lives through wellness. “We must resolve to work collectively to make sure that what we do really does enrich the world,” Mr. LeDoux urged.
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CRN president energizes audience at The Conference
CRN board meets in California following annual conference, approves strategy for next three years CRN will continue to promote responsible consumer-focused behavior in the industry, redouble efforts to expand the membership of CRN, and build its leadership capacity in global regulatory activities, science, media relations and government relations—all initiatives approved by the association’s board of directors who signed off on CRN’sStrategic Plan of Work for 2010-2012. CRN’s Board of Directors met on Saturday, Oct. 25, immediately following the close of the association’s annual conference at the Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., to discuss the strategic plan and other matters including: acceptance of the association’s independent 2008 audit report; a recommendation to partner with various health-related organizations to create positive messages for dietary supplements; tougher regulatory enforcement to prosecute companies that put anabolic steroids in products labeled as dietary supplements; and new rules concerning payment of dues. A top-line report from the meeting, prepared by CRN’s Steve Mister, is available on CRN’s Members Only website. Regarding the problem of steroid and other adulteration of products marketed as supplements, the board conducted a unanimous straw vote resulting in the decision that that it is open to legislation to crack down on steroid products illegally being sold as dietary supplements. To help ensure that CRN receives its member dues promptly, starting in 2010, dues must be paid by the end of February, and dues still unpaid at the end of March will be subject to 1.5 percent interest per month. Companies not paying their dues by March 31 will have their membership privileges suspended until dues are received. The next scheduled meeting of CRN’s board of directors is Tuesday, Dec. 8 in Washington, D.C. At that meeting, new board members elected in the recent 2009 elections will be seated for the coming year. Contact Steve Mister for more information (202-204-7676). Industry leaders honored with Apple Awards at CRN conference Chuck Brice of Kemin Health, L.C., Peter Reinecke of Reinecke Strategic Solutions, Inc., and John Venardos of Herbalife International were named the 2009 recipients of the CRN “Apple Awards” in a ceremony held Oct. 23 at The Conference, CRN’s annual symposium for the dietary supplement industry, at the Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.
The prestigious award, CRN’s highest honor, is given to individuals who have shown long-term commitment, dedication and significant contributions to both the association and the dietary supplement industry. Mr. Brice is senior vice president, Global Strategies at Kemin Health where he has worked for over twenty years in a variety of senior management and sales and marketing positions. Mr. Reinecke, former chief of staff to Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), is principal of Reinecke Strategic Solutions, a consulting firm he founded to provide strategic advice and implement creative policy solutions for a wide variety of paid and pro bono clients. Mr. Venardos is vice president, worldwide regulatory and government affairs for Herbalife, where he leads a team of professionals who proactively represent the company with regulators and elected officials in over 60 countries. Find out more about the 2009 Apple Award recipients in CRN’s press release from The Conference. Read about other sessions at The Conference in this edition’s special conference review section. Find yourself at Lost Pines for CRN’s 2010 events—save the date Whether you’re still riding the wave of inspiration from last week’s conference, or you’re disappointed you missed it, be sure to put next year’s events on your calendar now. Dates and location are confirmed for CRN’s 2010 events—The Workshop: CRN’s Day of Science will take place Sept. 29 and The Conference: CRN’s Annual Symposium for the Dietary Supplement Industry will follow immediately, Sept. 29–Oct. 2. Both events will take place at the lush Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa in the rolling hills of Austin, Texas. There will be several registration options available, and you can track the news as it becomes available about these events by visiting the CRN events website. Refer back to your favorite highlights from this year’s conference, or, see what you missed, in the Special Review Section of this edition of The Report.CRN survey shows continued confidence in supplements, consumer use steady in tight economy Results are in from the 2009 CRN Consumer Survey on Dietary Supplements—and they show supplement use is strong even in the current economic climate. Despite these complicated economic times, 65 percent of adult consumers (up slightly from 64 percent in 2008) take dietary supplements, according to the annual CRN survey. When asked if the economy had affected their household’s dietary supplement purchasing habits, nearly three-quarters (74 percent) of those surveyed responded that it had not. “We’re pleased that consumers place emphasis on their health, even in uncertain economic times, and that dietary supplements continue to play a role in their overall wellness regimen,” said CRN’s Judy Blatman. In addition, confidence in dietary supplements reached a high point in 2009, with 84 percent of American adults indicating that they are confident in the safety, quality and effectiveness of dietary supplements compared to 81 percent last year. In the last several years, confidence levels in dietary supplements have been on a gradual rise, with 80 percent of American adults indicating a favorable level of confidence in dietary supplements in 2007, and 79 percent of American adults responding similarly in 2006. Read more about the survey results in CRN’s press releases focusing on supplements’ value in a changing economy and the increase in consumer confidence over recent years. Also, see press coverage of the survey in CRN in the News. CRN members may purchase complete results of the survey for $2,800, or selected data for various prices. Contact Erin Hlasney for more information (202-204-7684).Webinar to give advice on supplement advertising At CRN’s conference last week, top officials from FDA and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) confirmed that both agencies have a newly solidified collaboration with each other when it comes to marketing issues/label claims and other overlapping regulatory areas. All the more reason for companies who want to stay on the right side of the law to take advantage of an upcoming webinar co-produced by CRN and member company Virgo Publishing. “Avoiding Red Flags and Monetary Penalties—What Every Company Needs to Know About Dietary Supplement Advertising” is a two-hour, Nov. 3 webinar featuring both Richard Cleland of FTC and FDA’s Paula Trumbo along with legal and regulatory expert John Villafranco of Kelley Drye & Warren, LLP, and Mark Levine who manages the dietary supplement advertising review program for the National Advertising Division. Particularly in light of the recently released FTC guidance on endorsements and testimonials, this webinar, moderated by CRN’s Duffy MacKay, is important for companies looking to stay within the boundaries of the dynamic legal framework for dietary supplement marketing. Register on Virgo’s website today.CRN announces support of bi-partisan food safety bill “To date, this legislation represents what may be the best opportunity to lead a national, if not global, agreement on food-borne illness protection,” CRN’s Steve Mister said of theFood and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Safety Modernization Act (FDAFSMA)— Senate Bill 510—in the association’s Oct. 22 statement, following a Senate hearing on the bill that same day. “The legislation will require annual registration of food manufacturing facilities. It will also give FDA new authority to mandate food recalls and require companies to develop food safety plans to address high-risk junctures in manufacturing where avoidable contamination might occur.” In its statement, CRN underscored the dietary supplement industry’s strong commitment to ensuring that consumers have access to high quality and safe dietary supplement products. CRN noted that good manufacturing practices (GMPs) and a law requiring companies to report serious adverse events to FDA have helped with post-marketing safety surveillance of dietary supplements and have helped bolster consumer confidence in the safety, quality and effectiveness of dietary supplements. “More than 150 million Americans use dietary supplements each year and CRN and its members firmly believe that the provisions included in FDAFSMA will help develop a preventive food safety system, capable of keeping consumers safe in a global marketplace,” Mr. Mister said. CRN scientist to chair scientific track at Nutracon CRN’s Andrew Shao has been selected by conference organizers to chair the antioxidant science track at Nutracon 2010, taking place March 10-11, 2010 in Anaheim, Calif. Nutracon, hosted by New Hope Natural Media, a CRN Associate Member, is a conference for ingredient and technology innovation within the health and nutrition industry that helps companies develop new science-supported supplements, functional foods and beverages, and more. Dr. Shao chaired last year’s track on new developments in vitamins and minerals at Nutracon 2009. “It’s important that our industry critically evaluates the science behind our products, taking into account different perspectives, and CRN’s Day of Science—The Workshop—has gained that kind of reputation. I’m looking to do the same thing with the development of this track for Nutracon. I’m very pleased to have been asked to participate again.” The antioxidant science track is one of six tracks taking place at Nutracon 2010 and will feature leading experts from UCLA, UC Davis, Tufts University, Texas A&M University, University of Alabama and Harvard University. “The agenda for the antioxidant science track was developed with an eye toward bringing highly respected researchers and industry together for thought-provoking discourse on the current state of antioxidant research and areas for improvement for future research,” said Dr. Shao. Registration is now open; for more information visit Nutracon’s website.‘Life…supplemented’ gears up for results of newest HCP studies, satellite media tour with registered dietitian Results from the third year of the “Life…supplemented” Healthcare Professionals (HCP) Impact Study will be released beginning in November, revealing the supplement usage, attitudes and recommendation habits of registered dietitians, nurse practitioners and pharmacists. In December, Dave Grotto, R.D., L.D.N., a registered dietitian and the newest consultant to join the “Life...supplemented” team, will conduct a satellite media tour, discussing ways Americans can combine a healthy diet, supplements and exercise to help them achieve an “optimal life.” Mr. Grotto, a social media maven, will also talk about the campaign in on-line venues. CRN thanks the 25 companies who made it possible to take the $3 million educational effort into year three of the program: Amway Global, Nutrilite Products; BASF Corporation; Bayer HealthCare; Cargill Health & Food Technologies; Cognis Nutrition & Health; Douglas Laboratories; DSM Nutritional Products; GNC; Innophos; Kyowa Hakko; Natural Alternatives International; Natural Factors Nutritional Products; NBTY; New Hope Natural Media; NSF; Nutramax Laboratories; Perrigo Company; Pharmavite; Reliv International; Schiff Nutrition; Sierra Mountain Minerals; Shaklee Corporation; Virgo Publishing; Vitamin Shoppe; and Wyeth Consumer Health. Contact Judy Blatman for more information (202-204-7680). Four new voting members join CRN CRN’s board of directors last week approved voting membership applications of four additional companies: Atrium Innovations, Inc. headquartered in Quebec City, Canada; Fluxome, Inc. based in Denmark; FMC BioPolymer Corporation of Princeton, N.J., and Solazyme, Inc. based in San Francisco, Calif. Atrium Innovations is a leading developer, manufacturer, and marketer of science-based and professionally supported products for the health and nutrition industry. Fluxome is an industrial biotechnology company that uses a cutting edge technology platform within metabolic engineering of microorganisms for cost efficient production of nutraceutical ingredients with specific health benefits. FMC BioPolymer, with over 60 years of experience, is a leader in harnessing renewable resources to create ingredients and technical solutions for the food, pharmaceutical, personal care and biomedical markets. Solazyme is a leading renewable oil and bioproducts company offering renewable triglyceride oils, rich in heart healthy unsaturated fats and antioxidants, as well as edible algal flour products for delivery of oils and fats to foods including drinks, bars, non-meat burgers, and meal replacers.FDA changes outdated information on consumer website at CRN’s request CRN’s outreach to FDA and relationship building with agency officials has resulted in a positive change that will enable consumers to get up-to-date and correct information on dietary supplement companies’ adverse event reporting requirements and good manufacturing practices (GMPs). CRN’s Kate Murphy wrote to the agency describing misinformation on its site in the Consumer Information section of the Dietary Supplement website page. Ms. Murphy referred to another section of FDA’s website that got it right to illustrate the error. “As clearly stated in the Guidance, Compliance, & Regulatory Information section of FDA’s website, the law reads, ‘The manufacturer, packer, or distributor whose name…appears on the label of a dietary supplement marketed in the United States is required to submit to FDA all serious adverse event reports associated with use of the dietary supplement in the United States.’” The site also indicated that GMPs for supplements were still under review. Following up on the letter, CRN had the opportunity first in a “listening session with FDA” (see story in Federal Watch) and then at The Conference to inform FDA Principal Deputy Commissioner Joshua Sharfstein, M.D., about the matter when he was at the association’s annual conference as a speaker, and the information was corrected the next day. Consumers visiting the FDA web page now have accurate information about companies’ responsibilities with regard to adverse event reporting and GMPs.CRN reaches out to FDA for involvement in advisory committees CRN last week wrote to FDA informing the agency of the association’s desire to participate in the selection of non-voting industry representatives to serve on FDA’s public advisory committees for the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN). FDA uses 48 committees and panels to obtain independent expert advice on scientific, technical, and policy matters. CRN also will be providing FDA with a list of nominees composed of qualified CRN member company representatives for non-voting industry representatives to serve on CFSAN’s Food Advisory Committee. Contact Andrew Shao for more information (202-204-7660).
CRN continues discussions with Senate Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs Following a Senate subcommittee hearing on “Bodybuilding Products and Hidden Steroids: Enforcement Barriers,” CRN was contacted by committee counsel to further discuss dietary supplement regulation, gain the industry’s positions on recommendations made by the U.S. General Accounting Office and explore ideas for amending the Controlled Substances Act to schedule “designer” anabolic steroids. CRN previously supplied the subcommittee with background information on scientific and regulatory aspects of dietary supplements in preparation for the Sept. 29 hearing. Richard Kingham, Covington & Burling, and CRN’s representative on the witness panel, was also contacted to answer follow-up questions for the record, which closed Oct. 20. CRN continues to work with the offices of key legislators, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA), and will report any updates. Contact Mike Greene for more information (202-204-7690).DSC luncheon briefing on sports supplements coming up next week CRN and the Natural Products Association are collaborating again with the Congressional Dietary Supplement Caucus (DSC) on an educational luncheon briefing. The third in a series of DSC briefings this year, the upcoming Nov. 4 event on Capitol Hill will focus on sports nutrition and dietary supplements. Douglas Kalman, Ph.D., R.D., a highly regarded sports nutrition expert, will present the latest science-based information on beneficial supplementation for athletes, emphasizing the differences between legal dietary supplements and illegal steroids. RSVP with Ingrid Lebert (202-204-7699); see the briefing flyer for more information. DSC co-chair resigns from Congress Rep. Robert Wexler (D-FL), a Congressional Dietary Supplement Caucus (DSC) co-chair, announced his intention to resign from Congress on Oct. 14. Rep. Wexler will pursue a job in Middle East policy, becoming director of the Center for Middle East Peace and Economic Cooperation. Rep. Wexler will officially retire from office in January 2010. A special election will be held to fill his House seat; CRN is working with the DSC co-chair to fill the co-chair seat. Contact Ingrid Lebert for more information (202-204-7699).MLB director writes Congress about supplements “The use of dietary supplements has become the norm, not the exception. Today they are undeniably part of our nation’s food supply, and it is difficult to imagine that in the coming years, supplement use will diminish,” Donald Fehr, executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) wrote in a letter to Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA), chair of the House Energy & Commerce Committee. CRN recently became aware of the letter, sent in June, in which Mr. Fehr noted that professional athletes are among those who use supplements, observing that they have “failed drug tests after doing nothing more than taking apparently legitimate supplements purchased from respected national retail outlets.” He pointed out that this situation “may not be reflective of the entire industry,” and that, “given the number of supplements taken in the United States, that one would have to expect a far greater number of adverse event reports if these problems were universal.” In addition, Mr. Fehr made some recommendations to improve regulation that he noted, “will not undermine the special status Congress has awarded supplements but will energize compliance with existing prohibitions and requirements.” His suggestions included: stricter reporting requirements for supplement manufacturers; stricter label and labeling requirements for supplements; mandatory inspections before manufacturers found to have sold adulterated product may resume production; and stiffer penalties for repeat offenders. CRN is following correspondence between Mr. Fehr and Congress. Contact Mike Greene for more information (202-204-7690).
CRN asks members for feedback on potential Prop 65 listing of chemicals The California Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) is preparing Hazard Identification documents for five proposed carcinogens and two proposed reproductive toxins. Two chemicals listed may possibly be important to CRN members—fluoride and cumene. OEHHA’s Proposition 65 (Prop 65) Carcinogen Identification Committee (CIC) recommended that 9 of the 38 chemicals referred to it for advice and consultation be placed in the ‘high’ priority group—among these is fluoride. OEHHA is also requesting information as to whether cumene meets the criteria for listing under the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986. These actions are being proposed under the authoritative bodies listing mechanism. CRN members are asked to let the association know if such listing would significantly impact their business. Please contact John Hathcock to provide this information, or to get more information (202-204-7662).
HHS Secretary Sebelius announces senate confirmation of Dr. Regina Benjamin as U.S. Surgeon General U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced that the U.S. Senate unanimously confirmed Regina Benjamin, M.D., as the nation’s Surgeon General. Dr. Benjamin is a general practitioner who has spent two decades serving rural Alabama. In 2002, she became the president of the Alabama Medical Association—the first African-American woman to be president of a state medical society in the U.S. Dr. Benjamin has been part of the NIH center studying healthcare disparities and in 2008 received a MacArthur "genius" grant. President Obama said Dr. Benjamin, “represents what’s best about health care in America— doctors and nurses who give and care and sacrifice for the sake of their patients.” Read more on the HHS website. CRN request granted: Top FDA officials hear industry stakeholder concerns during listening session On Thursday, Oct. 15, FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg, M.D., and Deputy Commissioner Joshua Sharfstein, M.D., conducted a listening session with representatives from CRN and other dietary supplement trade associations to learn what significant issues and concerns the industry has regarding the regulation of dietary supplements. CRN’s Steve Mister and Andrew Shao participated. The industry expressed concerns about FDA’s lack of enforcement of the new dietary ingredient (NDI) notification requirement for ingredients not marketed prior to Oct. 15, 1994, particularly as it relates to products that contain designer anabolic steroids. CRN noted that such products, which are often labeled as dietary supplements, are actually unapproved new drugs and therefore NDIs without proper notification, which makes them adulterated and subject to criminal prosecution under the Food Drug & Cosmetic Act. CRN also discussed the industry’s joint seminar series with CFSAN, which it anticipates will be launched next year and should help to establish a better dialogue between the agency and the industry. CRN formally requested the meeting this summer after Dr. Hamburg was confirmed. Dr. Hamburg thanked the participants for their efforts and pledged to work with industry to find solutions to some of its concerns. Dr. Sharfstein, who conducted the meeting, spent over an hour listening to particular issues, including: a request for more transparency in FDA’s analysis of adverse event reports; a call for more inspections under the new good manufacturing practice (GMP) regulations for dietary supplements; and questions about what impact the new adulterated food registry would have on supplement manufacturers. One area that received immediate attention from FDA involved the agency’s own website. CRN pointed out that there were several factual errors on FDA’s consumer site, including misinformation about adverse event reporting and GMPs. Within the week, the corrections to FDA’s site had been made (see CRN and Its Members at Work for more on this).FDA announces new staff appointments, pulling experts from Capitol Hill In an Oct. 16 memo, FDA announced the appointment of several new senior staff members at the agency. Key appointees of interest to the supplement industry include Jeanne Ireland as assistant commissioner for legislation, John Taylor as counselor to the commissioner, and Ann Witt as counselor to the deputy commissioner for Policy. Former House Energy and Commerce Committee staffer Jeanne Ireland, who served as Rep. John Dingell’s (D-MI) chief counsel on food and drug policy, was named assistant commissioner for legislation Oct. 18. In her role in FDA's newly elevated legislation office, she will report directly to Commissioner Margaret Hamburg, M.D., instead of the chief of staff, as was the case prior to a reorganization at the agency. John Taylor will occupy a new position at FDA, counselor to the commissioner, where he will oversee the agency’s crisis response functions as well as advise on a range of policy and regulatory matters. An attorney, Mr. Taylor served previously with FDA as a staff lawyer, an advisor to previous commissioners, and as associate commissioner for Regulatory Affairs. Ann Witt also has prior service with FDA, as a staff attorney and advisor to previous commissioners. She will be returning to her previous position as counselor to the deputy commissioner for Policy, after having served for the past six years as counsel to Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) and the House of Representatives’ Committee on Energy and Commerce. Others who formerly worked on the Hill and have since joined the agency include Principal Deputy Commissioner Joshua Sharfstein, M.D., who worked on Rep. Henry Waxman’s (D-CA) staff as health policy advisor and David Dorsey, a senior counselor to Dr. Sharfstein, who returns to FDA from his position as a senior fellow to the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee where he counseled committee chair Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) on health issues. ODS to hold workshop on analytical methodology for vitamin D biomarkers The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) is sponsoring the “Nutrient Biomarkers Analytical Methodology: Vitamin D Workshop” on Wednesday, Dec. 16, in Bethesda, Md. According to ODS, the intent of the workshop is to develop strategies for resolving inconsistencies between results obtained following quantitative determination of selected nutrients in biological materials such as serum when different measurement techniques are used. ODS hopes to identify strengths and weaknesses of analytical approaches available for the quantification of the nutritional biomarker of vitamin D status—circulating 25(OH)D—in biological samples and to discuss analytical methods, including: criteria for selection of method(s); the role of reference methods and samples; sample preparation and interpretation of results. Space is limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis for the free workshop. See the ODS website for details. CRN’s Andrew Shao is slated to attend. Contact Andrew Shao for more information (202-204-7660).NCCAM invites comments on strategic plan development The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) is developing its third strategic plan and announced in an Oct. 22 Federal Register notice a call for public comments on three background papers which will support the development of this plan. The papers will cover three topics: mission, priority setting, and communications/decision-making. They are now publicly available through the NCCAM webiste through Nov. 19. The public is invited to provide comments through the NCCAM website. For more information, see: plan.nccam.nih.gov. CRN will be submitting comments. Contact Duffy MacKay for more information (202- 204-7664).
Health Canada invites stakeholders to regulatory workshops Health Canada’s Natural Health Products Directorate (NHPD) has released to CRN an invitation for U.S. manufacturers that either have product license applications with NHPD or are listed as a foreign site on Canadian site licenses to attend one of two identical training workshops—one in New York City and the other in Los Angeles, Calif. The two-day workshops will provide information on both product and site licensing application processes for the commercial sale of natural health products in Canada. The main objective of the workshops is to provide stakeholders with the necessary information to submit complete applications, to comply with the requirements set out in Canada’s Natural Health Products Regulations, and to get information pertaining to new and emerging initiatives. Participants will gain more insight into the application process, have the relevant information necessary for preparing a product application submission, get a better understanding of Canadian good manufacturing practice requirements, and be updated on NHPD’s new and emerging initiatives. Space restrictions dictate that no more than two participants from each organization may attend a workshop; and registration will be first come first serve. More information and a registration form is available for download from CRN’s Members Only website.Canada releases technical report on soy; allows new limited claims The Natural Health Products Directorate (NHPD) recently announced the posting of the Soy Technical Report and the addition of a soy extracts and isolates monograph to its compendium of monographs. The Soy Technical Report describes Health Canada's analysis of the potential risks and benefits of authorizing soy isoflavones as a medicinal ingredient in oral natural health products. Canada is allowing soy isoflavone products on the market for menopausal and bone mineral density claims but with caveats. The claims are allowed for these products only under a specific dose range of 30-125 mg/day (aglycone equivalents), for a period not longer than one year, and for the specific subpopulation of menopausal and post-menopausal women only. Additionally, there are specific risk-labeling requirements based on the precautionary principle. Canada will not allow cholesterol claims for isoflavone supplements. Contact Duffy MacKay for more information (202-204-7664).
CRN links responsible companies, initiatives to rise in consumer confidence “We believe that responsible companies within the industry can take some of the credit for the continued rise in consumer confidence in dietary supplements. They have embraced new regulatory requirements such as adverse event reporting (AER) and new GMPs (good manufacturing practices) specific to dietary supplements,” CRN’s Steve Mister is quoted in Natural Products Insider’s coverage of the association’s 2009 Consumer Survey on Dietary Supplements. “We also hope the self-regulatory programs the industry is taking part in, such as CRN’s initiative with the National Advertising Division, have helped boost confidence. Despite a few industry outliers who create much of the negative publicity about the industry, consumers trust these products as safe and beneficial.” Nutraceuticals World and Drug Store News also covered the survey results, focusing on the consumers, quoting CRN’s Judy Blatman from CRN press statement saying, “According to our survey, consumers, including supplement users, report to be taking necessary steps towards good health, such as trying to eat a balanced diet and getting regular exercise. We’re encouraged that dietary supplements continue to be a part of that equation for many.” Read more about the 2009 survey in CRN and Its Members at Work. Supplements can help fill nutrient gaps highlighted by new study “America's Phytonutrient Report is another confirmation that we are not getting enough fruits and vegetables in our diet,” CRN’s Duffy MacKay observed in a Reuters story covering results from a report by the Nutrilite Health Institute. “There are many reasons people struggle to get the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables, from portability to convenience to availability,” Dr. MacKay added. “Supplements should never take the place of whole foods, but high-quality vitamin and mineral supplements can play a role in promoting good health and helping prevent disease.” The article explained that America’s Phytonutrient Report is the first major analysis of NHANES fruit and vegetable consumption by color, showing the color of fruits and veggies eaten can be as important as the quantity. The report looked at fruit and vegetable consumption in five color categories, specifically green, red, white, blue/purple and yellow/orange. The health benefits of phytonutrients are believed to come from the compounds that give these foods their vibrant reds, yellows, greens and other rich colors. Nutrilite is part of Amway Global, a CRN member company.
Plant sterol enriched soy beverages shown to help control cholesterol Supplementing the diet with soy beverages enriched with plant sterols—plant constituents that resemble cholesterol—can help reduce blood lipid levels, according to a study recently published online in Lipids in Health and Disease. The results were reported for two separate cross-over design studies for each of which participants were randomized to consume a plant sterol (PS) enriched soy milk or 1 percent fat dairy milk (control beverage) for four weeks, each followed by a four-week washout period, then a cross-over to the contrasting intervention. In study one, 33 subjects with normal blood cholesterol levels were assigned to low fat (2 grams per serving) PS-enriched soy milk or 1 percent milk. In study two, 23 subjects with hypercholesterolemia were assigned to moderate-fat (3.5 grams per serving) PS-enriched soy milk or 1 percent milk. In both studies, the PS-enriched soy milk beverages were taken at each meal and the total daily dose of plant sterols equated to 1.95 grams. During the washout phase, subjects were instructed to resume their typical diet. In both studies, plasma total and LDL cholesterol significantly decreased following PS-enriched soy milk compared with 1 percent milk. Following low-fat PS-enriched soy milk, total and LDL cholesterol reduced by 10 and 13 percent, respectively, compared with 1 percent milk. Following moderate-fat PS-enriched soy milk consumption, total cholesterol was reduced by 12 percent and LDL cholesterol was reduced by 15 percent, compared with 1 percent milk. Moreover, fasting triglycerides were reduced by 9 percent and cholesterol absorption was reduced by 27 percent following moderate-fat PS-enriched soy milk consumption compared with 1 percent milk. The studies’ results suggest that plant sterols provided in soy milk, either with low- or moderate-fat, can modify lipids in subjects with normal to high cholesterol levels. See the Research Watch section of CRN's Members Only website for more information on this and other studies.
Nothing can take the place of being there, on-site with your industry colleagues at CRN’s educational and networking events—The Workshop: CRN’s Day of Science and The Conference: CRN’s Annual Symposium for the Dietary Supplement Industry. Following is a re-cap of just some of the thought provoking and edifying sessions attendees experienced. See what you missed, or remember key points from your favorite presentations. Attendees will soon receive a flash drive containing those presentations that CRN received permission to distribute. Be sure to save the date for next year’s events, taking place Sept. 29 through Oct. 2 at the lush Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa just outside Austin, Texas. (More information coming soon on the CRN website.) ‘The Workshop’ addresses questions of dietary supplement research
FDA’s Dr. Sharfstein discusses agency enforcement priorities
FTC chief applauds self-regulation, warns outliers, in talk on dietary supplement advertising enforcement
Hill veterans discuss DSHEA at a crossroads, in the crosshairs
Panel talks trends in emerging—and traditional—channels reaching consumers
Economic expert shares rules for post-recession recovery For those conference participants hoping to hear good news about the struggling economy after a roller coaster ride of a year, Newsweek business columnist and economics editor Daniel Gross delivered. “The recession is over,” he assured. Mr. Gross duly emphasized, however, that this was a new kind of recession because it was caused by a financial disaster, and the effects of the recession would last longer and go deeper than previous dips, making the road to recovery particularly lengthy and complicated. “Wall Street has a new set of players, with a new set of rules,” he explained. Mr. Gross laid out his own set of rules to keep in mind when weathering the economic recovery period, including: flat is the new up (maintaining current levels of business is sometimes the best that can be done, and is better than seeing a decline); local is the new global; savings is the new credit; efficiency is the new growth; and trading down is the new trading up. Examining strategies for the supplement industry specifically, Mr. Gross encouraged the attendees to focus their messaging on prevention, as recessions lend themselves to an increase in society’s healthy habits, and dietary supplements certainly are a part of this conversation.Panel offers three perspectives on supplements’ role in prevention
Breakfast session with TODAY Show’s Joy Bauer provides insights on how media evaluates supplements
CNN anchor predicts growth for supplement industry as consumers aim for control over budgets, healthcare
November 1–6 November 3 November 4 November 5–6 November 10 November 11–13 November 14–18 November 17 November 19-20 November 21–28 November 24 December 8 December 9 December 10 December 16 |
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