This week’s big news across the global nutrition and supplements industries includes the confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. as the new Secretary for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the UK’s Food Standards Agency removing over 100 CBD products from the public list and Watsons Singapore rolling 14 more GNC stores-within-a-store.
USA: RFK, Jr. confirmed as new HHS Secretary
The U.S. Senate confirmed Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. as the new Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, with 52 Republican votes in favor and 48 votes against, including all Democratic senators, Mitch McConnell (R-Ky), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt) and Angus King (I-Maine).
The U.S. dietary supplements industry was quick to congratulate Secretary Kennedy’s confirmation.
“This is a new day for Americans and people globally who want natural products and dietary supplements as part of their balanced lifestyles,” said Daniel Fabricant, PhD, president and CEO of the Natural Products Association. “The best way to fight chronic disease and hospitalization is keeping them healthy in the first place, and Secretary Kennedy will help lead us in that direction.”
Loren Israelsen, founder and president of the United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA), said: “RFK Jr.’s journey from political outcast to secretary of HHS is nothing short of astounding. It only happened because he led, he raised his voice and support of a healthier America, and millions of Americans responded.”
The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) issued a statement in which it recognized the importance of open dialogue with HHS and other regulatory agencies to address, reform and improve policies that govern herbal products and dietary supplements and welcomed new opportunities to advocate for longstanding industry priorities.
UK: FSA removes over 100 products from public CBD list
The UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) removed over 100 Cannabis sativa L. products from its public list as regulatory scrutiny of the CBD sector increases.
The removal of these products continues the UK’s trajectory to push non-compliant CBD businesses out, but the specific reason(s) for the removal is not yet know, noted Dr. Mark Tallon, managing partner at the Legal Products Group.
As it stands, CBD products are not permitted for sale in the UK unless there has been some agreement with local authorities for the sell-through of existing stocks.
Across the EU, all CBD products are considered as novel by the EU Commission and are therefore illegal for sale without prior authorization as a novel food.
However, some markets such as the UK, tolerate their sale with minimal enforcement.
Singapore: Watsons to roll out GNC store-within-store in 14 more outlets
Following the success of its first-ever GNC store-within-store concept in its flagship outlet at Ngee Ann City, Watsons Singapore has announced it will be bringing this concept into 14 more of its outlets by the end of 2025.
The store-within-store concept was designed to help consumers navigate GNC’s products through specialized product displays, said Goh Choon Gek, commercial director, Watsons Singapore. There are also in-store GNC advisors who are trained by GNC U.S. headquarter to provide personalized recommendations to consumers.
“It offers close to 200 products that are specially selected to cater to consumers’ total health and wellness needs, focusing on basic health functions such as cardiovascular, gut health, bone and joint and even sleep management,” she said.
