News Flash: CRN Responds to the Clean Label Project's (CLP) 2024-2025 Protein Powder Category Insights Report (CleanLabelProject_ProteinStudyWhitepaper_010625.pdf) with a statement by SVP of Science and Regulatory Affairs, Andrea Wong. "...it is important to emphasize that the detection of contaminants, as highlighted in this report, does not inherently equate to a health risk. Modern analytical techniques can detect even trace levels of naturally occurring elements, such as heavy metals, which are present in soil, air, and water. These trace levels are often well below established safety thresholds set by federal agencies like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)." READ THE FULL STATEMENT HERE: https://lnkd.in/eRwq_aDi

We felt the single-sourced (Nichole Andrews, RDN) Daily Mail story by Rebecca Whittaker (https://lnkd.in/e-fhp7Yt) required an even deeper diver in terms of our original commentary... First, it's important to note that Wang et al. 2023 study mentioned in her story focuses on preclinical (animal) research and its findings cannot be directly extrapolated to typical dietary supplement use in humans. In contrast, The Physicians' Health Study II (PHS II) was a large-scale, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of over 14,000 male physicians which demonstrated a modest but statistically significant reduction in total cancer incidence among those taking a daily multivitamin (hazard ratio: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.86–0.998, p=0.044). This reduction was not specific to any single type of cancer and was observed across various subgroups, including men with a history of cancer at baseline. Dietary supplements play a crucial role for individuals with deficiencies or increased nutrient needs, such as pregnant women, older adults, and people with restricted diets. Dismissing supplements entirely risks neglecting their proven benefits in preventing conditions like neural tube defects (folic acid), osteoporosis (calcium and Vitamin D), and age-related macular degeneration (AREDS vitamins). Click-bait articles like this risk deterring people from addressing legitimate nutrient deficiencies. For instance, fear-based messaging may lead individuals to forgo vitamin D supplementation during deficiency, worsening bone health outcomes. Dietary supplement recommendations should come from your healthcare provider, especially in the context of cancer.

CRN News Today: CRN Recognizes Journal's Commitment to Scientific Integrity, Clarifying Missteps in Prenatal Vitamin Research: https://lnkd.in/eHtbtNHW (American Society for Nutrition, Laura Borgelt, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus)

🎧 In the latest episode of Supplement Source, Jeff V. chats with Lori Lauersen, SVP of Global R&D at Unilever, about the strategy behind wellness powerhouses like Liquid I.V., Nutrafol, and OLLY PBC. From sugar-free hydration to menopause supplements, discover how Unilever is driving innovation and shaping the future of the wellness industry. Listen now: https://lnkd.in/e7bFXpD4

CRN President and CEO Steven Mister recently weighed in on a study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition that evaluated #choline, #iodine, and toxic metal content in #prenatal vitamins. “As we understand it, the researchers made an inadvertent error by using USP standards that were intended really for raw materials, and looked at the allowable levels of heavy metals, looking at the mcg per gram of the raw material. They applied that as if it were mcg per daily dose of the finished product," Mister told Pharmacy Times. "What that led to was a misreporting that a number of these products had levels of heavy metals and contaminants in them that exceeded USP standards, when in fact they did not... it's important now that we correct that so that consumers are not unnecessarily alarmed." Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/exKun2Ds

Happy New Year! Wishing everyone health and wellness in 2025! Our CRN team looks forward to continuing serving our members in the #dietarysupplement and #functionalfood space and growing our essential industry that helps so many people live their best lives. https://lnkd.in/gWBQBzd

In WTOP News’ recent coverage of #dietarysupplements, listeners might have walked away with an incomplete picture of how this industry operates. Let’s set the record straight: Dietary supplements play a critical role in addressing nutrient shortfalls, helping Americans meet key nutritional needs like #vitaminD, #calcium, and #potassium, when their diet falls short. The significant bodies of research available on platforms like the National Library of Medicine’s PubMed and the Office of Dietary Supplements’ Fact Sheets belie the unsupported assertions that are ineffective. The FDA regulates supplements under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994, which ensures they are manufactured to strict quality standards, labeled accurately, and safe for use when taken as directed. On top of that, #FTC holds companies accountable for truthful advertising and marketing claims. But that’s not all. CRN members (https://lnkd.in/eiMEmNsu) voluntarily go above and beyond these federal requirements. Our members follow self-regulatory guidelines that promote transparency, good manufacturing practices, and responsible marketing (https://lnkd.in/eZEYD2eQ).

🚨 Protecting Expectant Mothers: Correcting Misreported Claims About Prenatal Vitamins 🚨 Recent media coverage by The New York Times (Dana G Smith), Vogue (Margaux Anbouba), Women's Health, New York Post (Tracy Swartz), Best Life, SciTechDaily, of a flawed study by University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus on heavy metals in prenatal vitamins has caused unnecessary alarm among pregnant women. This study, now acknowledged by the US Pharmacopeia (USP) to have significant methodological errors, incorrectly suggested that prenatal vitamins contain unsafe levels of heavy metals. Let’s set the record straight: prenatal vitamins are rigorously tested to meet strict safety standards and remain a vital resource for maternal and fetal health. Misinformation like this could discourage women from taking these essential supplements, potentially putting their health and their babies' health at risk. 🤰💊 Correcting this narrative isn’t just about accuracy—it’s a public service. Expectant mothers deserve peace of mind and confidence in the products they rely on during such a critical time in their lives. If you're a journalist or part of the media, we urge you to revisit your coverage and consider updating your reporting to reflect USP's clarification (https://lnkd.in/eBtxdfrR). Ensuring the public is well-informed can make a meaningful difference. Together, let’s prioritize health and truth over fear. 💡✅ #MaternalHealth #PrenatalVitamins #PublicHealth #AccurateReporting

In case you missed it, we issued a statement (https://lnkd.in/erjkwGH7) concerning a study published in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition out of University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder. The study's conclusions are flawed, as confirmed by a statement issued by US Pharmacopeia: https://lnkd.in/eBtxdfrR. We urge the study's authors and institutions to issue a prompt retraction, as this error has caused widespread media coverage creating needless fear of prenatal supplements by pregnant women.

With both gratitude and a touch of sadness, CRN shared that James Cedric Griffiths, Ph.D., CRN's SVP of International & Scientific Affairs, has announced he plans to retire from the company at the end of this month. CRN extends heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Griffiths as he embarks on this exciting new chapter—one we hope includes plenty of quality time with his grandchildren. While we’re thrilled for what’s ahead, his presence will be deeply missed at CRN. https://lnkd.in/e3CAg7UP