WASHINGTON, D.C., July 19, 2005 – The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), one of the dietary supplement industry’s leading trade associations, issued the following statement in response to the confirmation of Lester Crawford, D.V.M., Ph.D., to the post of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner.

The Council for Responsible Nutrition commends the confirmation of Lester Crawford, D.V.M., Ph.D., to the post of Food and Drug Administration Commissioner. As both deputy commissioner and acting commissioner, Dr. Crawford has been extremely active in regulating dietary supplements by implementing the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA). By using the authority provided by DSHEA, Dr. Crawford has sent a strong message to all supplement companies that they must comply with the law or face the consequences. Further, the dietary supplement industry has been impressed by Dr. Crawford’s openness in dealing with industry, thereby proving that regulatory success is best achieved by forming partnerships with key stakeholders, including government, regulatory agencies, industry and others. CRN is pleased that Dr. Crawford’s appointment has been supported by the U.S. Senate and looks forward to working with him in his new capacity to further implement DSHEA.