Washington, DC—Reinforcing its commitment to early engagement with new policymakers, the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) shared that it has reached out to all 79 freshman offices in both the House and Senate, including two new non-voting delegates. CRN said effort lays the groundwork for its 2025 Day on the Hill, which will take place on June 11, 2025.
“Building relationships with new members of Congress is essential to ensuring lawmakers understand the value our industry delivers to both public health and the U.S. economy,” said Steve Mister, CRN President & CEO. “These meetings and briefings allow us to introduce CRN’s mission, discuss responsible industry practices, and ensure that policymakers are prepared to engage meaningfully when supplement issues arise during their tenure.”
Informing Policy with Science, Economics, and Consumer Confidence
CRN provided each freshman office with materials designed to introduce key aspects of the industry:
- Supplements to Savings: A data-driven analysis showing how the responsible use of supplements can prevent costly medical events and potentially save billions in healthcare expenditures.
- Who We Are: An overview of CRN’s member companies, all of whom comply with extensive federal and state regulations and adhere to CRN’s additional voluntary guidelines and Code of Ethics.
- Dietary Supplements - Safe, Regulated and Beneficial: A fact sheet outlining the comprehensive regulatory oversight of the supplement industry, which is governed by the FDA and FTC under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA).
- District-Specific Economic Impact Reports: a highlight of the industry’s direct and indirect contributions to local economies—including jobs, wages, and tax revenue.
CRN’s 2025 Day on the Hill
The outreach initiative is a precursor to CRN’s June 11 Day on the Hill in Washington, DC, which will provide CRN members with an opportunity to meet directly with Members of Congress and key Congressional staff to discuss policy priorities critical to the dietary supplement and functional food industry. CRN members will emphasize the industry’s economic contributions and the potential healthcare cost savings achievable through responsible supplementation, as well as discuss the industry’s public policy priorities directly with lawmakers, including:
- Expanding consumer access to nutritional products through HSAs and FSAs;
- Modernizing federal supplement regulations;
- Supporting mandatory product listing (MPL).
“Our proactive approach ensures that when members of Congress consider policies impacting dietary supplements, they are equipped with accurate information, scientific data, and a clear understanding of the industry’s positive impact on health and the economy,” Mister said.
Julia Gustafson, CRN’s Vice President of Government Relations, added, “Educating freshman members early in their terms is key to successful long-term advocacy. These first interactions provide us the opportunity to explain the robust regulatory framework our industry already operates within and to highlight the economic and health benefits dietary supplements deliver to their constituents.”
