Leading Dietary Supplement Trade Organizations Commemorate 100th Meeting of the Dietary Supplement Trade Associations

Leading Dietary Supplement Trade Organizations Commemorate 100th Meeting of the Dietary Supplement Trade Associations

Joint initiatives protect public health, foster strong relationships with FDA, and advocate for meaningful legislation

Published: Monday, April 26, 2021


WASHINGTON—Four of the leading trade organizations representing the dietary supplement industry today commemorate the 100th meeting of the Dietary Supplement Trade Associations (DSTA). More than ten years ago, the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA), the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA), the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), and the United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA) began holding monthly DSTA meetings to discuss ongoing industry challenges, initiatives and opportunities.

“Our industry is stronger when we speak with one voice,” said Michael McGuffin, president, AHPA. “AHPA proposed these regular meetings to enhance collaboration amongst the trade associations. Working together on key issues, we are able to identify and accomplish shared objectives on behalf of our respective and collective members.”

Since the DSTA’s first meeting in January 2011, the group has been responsible for a number of initiatives that help protect public health, foster a stronger relationship with FDA, and advocate for meaningful legislation.

Among the proactive outreach to consumers, retailers and industry have been joint advisories warning of illegal ingredients in the market, including phenibut, Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs), and designer anabolic steroids. Additionally, the group issues statements about the appropriate use of supplements, reminding the public that these products cannot claim to treat disease, such as opioid addiction or Ebola virus. Over the past year, the coalition has also consistently warned industry and consumers about fraudulent products in the market related to COVID-19.

“Public safety is the highest priority for the dietary supplement industry,” said Scott Melville, president & CEO, CHPA. “The trade organizations are committed to ensuring that consumers have access to high-quality products that support health and wellness and empower self-care choices.”

To further protect the health of consumers, industry fosters a strong relationship with FDA and advocates on behalf of the agency to ensure it has sufficient tools and resources to do its job efficiently. Joint communications from the associations have contributed to both the office of Dietary Supplement Programs (ODSP) being elevated from a “division” to an “office” in 2015 and increased funding for the agency.

“Close collaboration with FDA is critical to fostering industry innovation and growth,” said Steve Mister, president & CEO, CRN. “While each trade association maintains its own distinct relationship with FDA, we often approach the agency collectively, asking to meet with FDA jointly to convey our unified voice on topics of concern.”

A collective industry voice continues on Capitol Hill. The coalition worked to enact the Designer Anabolic Steroid Control Act (DASCA) of 2014 and advocated for the Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator Control Act of 2019. The four trades also all supported legislation that would permit low-income Americans to use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to purchase a multivitamin supplement.

Currently, the coalition is working together to find a legal pathway to market for CBD in dietary supplements and supporting legislation that would allow consumers to purchase dietary supplements using their Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs).

“Congress has long asked industry to speak with a unified voice,” said Loren Israelsen, founder & president, UNPA. “The DSTA’s history of collaboration demonstrates to members of Congress and their staff a unified industry that is committed to reasonable legislative solutions that protect consumers and level the playing field for responsible companies.”

Moving forward, the trade organizations remain focused on key issues facing each association’s members and working with Congress to enact critical legislation. The DSTA will continue to provide educational events for industry, FDA and Congress, including maintaining support for the Congressional Dietary Supplement Caucus and quarterly briefings on Capitol Hill for congressional staff.


Media Contacts
AHPA: Glenn Christenson (gchristenson@ahpa.com / 301-588-1171 x104)
CHPA: Lauren Bloomberg (Lbloomberg@chpa.org / 202-429-3534)
CRN: Holly Vogtman (hvogtman@crnusa.org / 202-204-7665)
UNPA: Clint Calder (clint@unpa.com / 646-992-1803)


About AHPA
The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) is the national trade association and voice of the herbal products industry. AHPA is comprised of more than more than 350 member companies, consisting primarily of domestic and foreign companies doing business as growers, processors, manufacturers and marketers of herbs and herbal products as foods, dietary supplements, cosmetics, and non-prescription drugs, including companies that provide expert services to the herbal trade. Founded in 1982, AHPA’s mission is to promote the responsible and sustainable commerce of herbal products to ensure that consumers have informed access to a wide variety of safe herbal goods. Visit www.ahpa.org. Follow us on Twitter @AHPAssociation and LinkedIn.

About CHPA
The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA), founded in 1881, is the national trade association representing the leading manufacturers and marketers of consumer healthcare products, including over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, dietary supplements, and consumer medical devices. CHPA is committed to empowering self-care by ensuring that Americans have access to products they can count on to be reliable, save money and time, and deliver new and better ways to get and stay healthy. Visit www.chpa.org.

About CRN
The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), founded in 1973, is a Washington, D.C.-based trade association representing 180+ dietary supplement and functional food manufacturers, ingredient suppliers and companies providing services to those manufacturers and suppliers. In addition to complying with a host of federal and state regulations governing dietary supplements and food in the areas of manufacturing, marketing, quality control and safety, our manufacturer and supplier members also agree to adhere to additional voluntary guidelines as well as to CRN’s Code of Ethics. Visit www.crnusa.org. Follow us on Twitter @CRN_Supplements and LinkedIn.

About UNPA
The United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA) is an international trade association representing nearly 120 leading natural products, dietary supplement, functional food, scientific and technology and related service companies that share a commitment to provide consumers with natural health products of superior quality, benefit and reliability. Founded in Utah in 1992, UNPA was instrumental in the passage of the 1994 Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) and continues to take a leadership position in legislative and regulatory issues and industry best practices. Visit www.unpa.com. Follow us on twitter @UNPANational and LinkedIn.

Print

2022 Annual Fund Sponsors

AHPA appreciates the support of its sponsors, but does not endorse, recommend, or provide a warranty for any sponsor company, its products or services. AHPA has no responsibility for any transaction entered into with any of these companies.