—Experts Will Discuss Regulation, Science, and Practical Use— 
 
WASHINGTON, D.C., July 6, 2006 — The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) will hold a Tuesday, July 18 briefing about dietary supplements for legislative offices on Capitol Hill titled “What’s New and What’s True.”

This event is part of CRN’s on-going educational outreach program to provide science-based information on dietary supplements to Members of Congress and their staff.

“Less than half of Congress was in office when DSHEA was passed in 1994, and approximately 90 percent of their staff has changed since then. It’s important for us to continue a dialogue with legislators in order to be sure they understand how this law works, and explain why dietary supplements are valued by their constituents as part of a healthy lifestyle,” explains Mike Greene, director of Government Relations, CRN. 

The breakfast briefing will feature three speakers:  Steve Mister, Esq., president and CEO of CRN; Jeffrey Blumberg, Ph.D., Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University; and Annette Dickinson, Ph.D., consultant and past president, CRN. 

Mr. Mister will summarize the statutory framework for dietary supplement regulation emphasizing that supplements are well-regulated under DSHEA but that additional resources are needed for a robust FDA to implement the various protections of the law.  He will discuss some of the key legislative and regulatory issues CRN has been actively supporting on the Hill—including mandatory adverse event reporting, and finalization and release of good manufacturing practices (GMPs) for dietary supplements.

Dr. Blumberg will talk about the scientific support for dietary supplements, also touching on emerging research.  He will clarify some of the confusion surrounding recent studies, and will also address the need for funding research on dietary supplements.

Dr. Dickinson will personalize the science behind dietary supplements, explaining what Americans can do to help address the dietary shortfalls of essential nutrients, and focusing on which nutrients are especially important to populations that may have special needs such as senior citizens, women of child-bearing age, and low-income individuals.  She will also explain the importance of partnering public policy with consumer needs in the area of dietary supplements.

Says Mr. Mister, “We want Members of Congress and their staff to come away from the briefing understanding that supplements are safe, well-made and appropriately regulated. DSHEA does that without limiting consumer access or imposing undue restrictions, or creating obstacles to truthful information.  Dietary supplements can have a positive impact on the long-term health of Americans as part of smart lifestyle choices to maintain overall good health.” 
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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.