2025 brought new challenges and opportunities for the dietary supplement and functional food industry, and the CRN team was impactful to promote and protect our members. Through a collection of proactive and thoughtful initiatives, CRN helped our members move from scrutiny to strength.
Following is a brief recap of CRN’s work for its members during Q1 in each of the areas of our 2024–2026 strategic plan:
- Expanding Self-Regulatory Initiatives
- Influencing Public Policy
- Improving Consumer Access
- Cultivating Positive Public Perceptions
- Expanding Membership and Educational Offerings
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FIGHTING FOR THE INDUSTRY’S FUTURE
CRN advanced its lawsuit in New York to overturn a law prohibiting the sale of any dietary supplements that are marketed, labeled, or otherwise promoted for weight loss or muscle building to those under 18, warning industry stakeholders of similar—more onerous—legislation being proposed in many states, including Massachusetts.
- Oral arguments in CRN’s appeal challenging New York’s General Business Law § 391-00 and the lower court’s denial of CRN’s Motion for Preliminary Injunction were presented by CRN counsel Tamar Wise of Cozen O’Connor.
- CRN held a virtual meeting for voting members following the oral arguments to discuss the status of the case, as well as the 2025 landscape for state age-restriction legislation.
- Relatedly, CRN responded to new reporting on a study published in PLOS Mental Health that inappropriately asserted a connection between muscle-building supplement use and muscle dysmorphia symptomatology among adolescents.
CHALLENGING FDA'S INTERPRETATION OF DRUG PRECLUSION
CRN submitted supplemental comments to its 2023 citizen petition urging FDA to reconsider its application of the drug preclusion clause. CRN argued FDA’s interpretation unfairly confers pharmaceutical manufacturers with monopolies over ingredients that meet the definition of dietary supplements, stifling industry innovation for drug preclusion. CRN called for a more equitable framework to allow the predictability needed to bring safe, innovative products to market.
UPDATING MEMBERS ON THE NEW POLITICAL LANDSCAPE
CRN convened a members-only for breakfast briefing at Expo West for insights from President & CEO Steve Mister and VP Government Relations Julia Gustafson on challenges and opportunities for the industry as it faces a new state and federal landscape. Members, access the presentation deck via CRN’s website.
ADDRESSING THE CALL FOR ELIMINATING SELF-GRAS
CRN launched a Self-GRAS Task Force to develop its position with respect to potential reforms of the self-GRAS process, while preserving the GRAS pathway for new ingredients. During a meeting with FDA Acting Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods, Kyle Diamantas, CRN shared concerns about the incoming HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s call to eliminate self-GRAS. CRN noted the solution is not to abolish self-GRAS, which would stifle innovation, but to provide FDA with the resources and tools it needs to maintain an effective regulatory system that fosters both safety and progress.
PROTECTING PROTEIN AND PROMOTING SPORTS AND ACTIVE NUTRITION SUPPLEMENTS
CRN pushed back on assertions from the Clean Label Project “Protein Study 2.0,” noting a lack of transparency and context for the findings that risks misleading consumers rather than empowering them. CRN called for a more transparent testing regime that utilizes recognized, evidence-based standards. CRN also warned that alarmist allegations about the presence of “detectable” levels of contaminants in prenatals has the unintended effect of deterring women from using these beneficial supplements for healthy pregnancies.
CRN announced the creation of its Sports and Active Nutrition Forum (SANF), which conducted two webinars during Q1 on the role of dietary supplements for GLP-1 patients—looking at their roles in both weight loss and as adjuvants to GLP-1 drugs. Both are now available for CRN members on demand.
UPDATING OUR RENOWNED SCIENCE-BASED SAFETY RESOURCE
CRN released newly revised Vitamin and Mineral Safety book chapters for Zinc, Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine), and Vitamin E, as well as the updated Methodology summary.
- CRN’s Supplement Source podcast discussed how the handbook became a scientific cornerstone in the fight against overly conservative regulations, and why updating it is more crucial than ever.
- Members are invited to contribute to updates of additional chapters through a tax-deductible donation to the CRN Foundation.
CAUTIONING AGAINST MISUSE OF VITAMIN A FOR MEASLES
CRN advocated for responsible use of dietary supplements as part of a comprehensive approach to health and wellness and reiterated the importance of evidence-based practices in both prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. CRN’s statement reiterated that vitamin A does not prevent measles, responding to reports indicating that some parents are administering high doses of vitamin A to their children in an attempt to prevent measles infection. CRN was cited in several consumer press pieces including a syndicated CNN story.
CONNECTING MEMBERS TO INTERNATIONAL INTEL
CRN’s International Forum presented guest speakers Simon Pettman and Cynthia Rousselot from the International Alliance of Dietary/Food Supplement Associations (IADSA), the global dietary supplement trade organization based in London, to share valuable insights on emerging global trends affecting supplement regulations. Members can access the replay and presentation deck via CRN’s website.
GROWING OUR NETWORK
CRN welcomed 15 new members in Q1, including major finished product supplement brands, contract manufacturers, innovative ingredient suppliers, and more to our member community. Learn more about the January and March cohorts of new CRN member companies.