The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) and the Natural Products Association (NPA) have met with the entire freshman class of the 113th U.S. Congress, including 83 offices in the House of Representatives and 14 offices in the Senate, as part of their educational efforts to ensure that newly elected members of Congress have accurate information about dietary supplements and their role in good health.

In meeting with the new members of Congress, the two associations focused on why the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) is the appropriate regulation for the supplement industry, providing FDA with enforcement tools to protect consumers while still allowing for access to a wide variety of safe and beneficial products. Additionally, the CRN and NPA team talked about the value that supplements provide for overall health and wellness, as well as the industry’s contributions to healthcare cost savings and the economy.

“Education is a key priority for our industry,” said Mike Greene, vice president, government relations, CRN. “There are very few legislators remaining in Congress who were here when DSHEA passed, and even fewer congressional staffers. In addition, freshman members of Congress are challenged to quickly learn about many industries and even more complex issues associated with those industries, and we want to make ourselves available as a resource for the dietary supplement industry and provide assistance with our issues in any way we can. That’s why it is imperative that we focus on making connections with the new leaders, so they know they have industry experts who have history and can answer any questions or concerns.”  

In addition to meeting the freshman class of the 113th Congress, CRN and NPA, along with the other supplement industry trade associations, work cooperatively with the Congressional Dietary Supplement Caucus (DSC) to hold several briefings throughout the year, which provide additional educational opportunities.

On this front, the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) announced that Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) has joined the caucus for the 113th Congress.

Officially reconstituted in late March, the caucus serves as an informal, bipartisan group that facilitates discussions among lawmakers about the benefits of dietary supplements, provides tips and insights for better health and wellness, and promotes research into the healthcare saving these products provide. The caucus also seeks to enhance Congressional attention to the role of supplements in health promotion and disease prevention, and address the regulation of the supplement industry.
Sen. Heinrich was elected as the junior senator of New Mexico in November 2012. Previously, he served in the U.S. House of Representatives for New Mexico’s First Congressional District from 2009 to 2012 and on the Albuquerque City Council from 2003 to 2007, including one term as city council president in 2006.