CRN Survey: 76% of Americans Say Mandatory FDA Supplement Listing Would Increase Confidence in Products

About three-quarters (76%) of Americans said that if supplement manufacturers were required to list their products with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) it would increase their confidence in the category at least somewhat, according to the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN’s) 2026 consumer survey.

The survey, conducted by Morning Consult, included 3,005 U.S. adults. Interviews were conducted online, and data were weighted to approximate a representative sample of U.S. adults. The full sample has a margin of error of ±1.8 percentage points.

CRN said the finding adds a consumer perspective to its longstanding support for a federal dietary supplement registry. The association currently supports the Dietary Supplement Listing Act of 2026, introduced in Congress to require specified information about dietary supplements marketed in the United States to be listed with FDA and made available through a searchable database. 

The survey also found that 75% of respondents currently use dietary supplements, including 46% who use them regularly. More than half (52%) said supplements are essential or important to maintaining their health and wellness. Among current supplement users, that figure is 65%.

CRN presented the findings during CONVERGENCE ’26, its annual business conference taking place Oct. 7–8 at the Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, California.

“This research provides an important window into what builds consumer confidence,” said Steve Mister, president and CEO of CRN. “Consumers are telling us they value access to affordable products, transparency in labeling and quality measures, and credible information from trusted sources. For CRN, the finding around product listing is particularly meaningful because a federal registry has been a longstanding policy priority for the association.”

Trust

The survey found that 78% of adults are confident dietary supplements are generally safe when used as directed, while 62% said they are confident the dietary supplement industry is trustworthy.

About half (49%) said that, on a broader level beyond mandatory product listing, stronger enforcement against illegal, contaminated, or misleading products would increase their confidence “a lot.” Overall, 77% said stronger enforcement would increase confidence at least somewhat. Further, 77% said independent verification that products meet quality standards would increase their confidence.

“The survey gives us a fresh measure of how consumers themselves respond to greater marketplace visibility,” Mister said. “It adds an important consumer perspective to the ongoing discussion around dietary supplement listing.”

Affordability

Cost was the most commonly cited barrier to supplement use. Thirty-one percent of adults say supplements being too expensive has discouraged them from taking supplements or made regular use more difficult.

U.S. consumer prices overall are approximately 30% higher than they were at the beginning of 2020, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, and prices rose another 3.4% during the 12 months ending August 2026. 

When asked about an approximately 15% increase in the price of supplements they currently buy or might consider buying, 73% of U.S. adults say their first response would be to seek savings, reduce purchases, or forgo buying supplements. Just 9% would pay the higher price without making another change. 

Influence of Science and Healthcare Professionals

Most (81%) said scientific evidence is very or somewhat important when deciding whether a dietary supplement is right for them. Among current users, 40% cite a noticeable change in how they feel day to day as one way they determine whether a supplement is working.

Healthcare professionals also carry substantial influence, with 77% reporting that information or a recommendation from a primary care physician or other medical doctor would influence their decision to start or continue taking a supplement, compared with 51% for supplement company materials and 35% for social media creators or influencers.

Professional oversight also matters with emerging technology: 45% of U.S. adults say they would be comfortable using personalized AI supplement recommendations if reviewed by a doctor, pharmacist or registered dietitian.