WASHINGTON, D.C., April 1, 2005 – Annette Dickinson, Ph.D., president of the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) today announced the addition of a new scientist, Andrew Shao, Ph.D., to the CRN staff. Dr. Shao joins CRN as vice president, scientific and regulatory affairs.

Incoming CRN president and chief executive officer Steven M. Mister, Esq. said, "We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Shao to the CRN staff and are confident in the positive contributions he will make to the association and to the industry. CRN is known for its commitment to the science behind the supplements and bringing Dr. Shao on as part of our team, along with John Hathcock, Ph.D., who will continue as our vice president, scientific and international affairs, further strengthens that reputation."

Dr. Shao has extensive training in human nutrition science research and an in-depth knowledge of regulatory affairs and product development. He comes to CRN from General Nutrition Corporation (GNC) in Pittsburgh, Pa., where he was a senior scientist, reviewing new products and ingredients to determine scientific viability and applications. In this role, he also designed science-based products, monitored current scientific literature for new information applicable to new products or claims, and established and maintained relationships with sales, marketing, and retail groups as well as academic and government organizations.

Prior to his employment with GNC, Dr. Shao worked as technical services manager for Kemin Consumer Care, and before that as section manager for Kemin Foods, now known as Kemin Health, in Des Moines, Iowa. Among his many responsibilities was ensuring all consumer-focused copy was in compliance with Food and Drug Administration and Federal Trade Commission regulations. In addition, he liaised with a wide range of professionals and institutions on scientific, operational, regulatory, and business development matters. During his tenure with Kemin, Dr. Shao authored several peer-reviewed papers and abstracts that were published in scientific journals including Toxicology Letters, the Journal of the American Nutraceutical Association and FASEB – the journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology.

Dr. Shao earned his Ph.D. in Nutritional Biochemistry from Tufts University in Boston, as well as his M.S. in Human Nutrition Science. His B.A. in Biology is from Brandeis University in Waltham, Mass.

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

Contact:
Judy Blatman
202-204-7962