U.S. Congressional representatives revive Dietary Supplement Caucus
Caucus co-chairs Rep. John Curtis (R-Utah) and Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D-Calif.) led the request for registration as a Congressional Member Organization (CMO) for the 118th Congress. Thirty members of Congress will comprise the caucus, which will serve as a vessel for the exchange of ideas and information about supplements.
“I am pleased to relaunch this caucus with representative Cárdenas,” said Rep. Curtis in a statement announcing the action. “The dietary supplements industry is one of the largest industries in Utah, and this caucus will serve as an important platform to educate others about the industry and policies that help promote healthy lifestyles.”
Five of the major trade associations that represent the dietary supplements industry—American Herbal Products Association (AHPA), Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA), Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), Natural Products Association (NPA) and United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA)—support the re-establishment of the caucus.
“The Congressional Dietary Supplement Caucus is a vital tool for CRN’s members in that it provides a bipartisan setting for the industry to convey its policy priorities to members of Congress,” Mike Meirovitz, CRN senior director of government relations, told NutraIngredients-USA. “It also serves as a means to educate congressional offices on the impact the industry has on their constituents in terms of economic output, jobs, cost savings and overall health. The caucus is one of many ways to ensure that policymakers understand the role dietary supplements play in a healthy America.”
According to the statement, some of the issues that the caucus may focus on this year include reform of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), expansion of Flexible Spending Account/Health Savings Account (FSA/HSA) regulations to include supplements as qualified reimbursable expenses, and funding for greater oversight by FDA.
Education a priority
One of the goals of the caucus is to conduct educational briefings to inform members of Congress and their staff about the changing legislative and regulatory landscape facing the industry.
Previous caucuses have held dozens of educational initiatives since the initial formation of the CDSC in 2006. NutraIngredients-USA reported on a sports, health and fitness briefing held before members of Congress. Organized by the five dietary supplements trade associations, it discussed supplement certification programs, which “assist dietary manufacturers with compliance and demonstrate to consumers that responsible companies produce healthful products.”
Rep. Cárdenas said these briefings promote dialogue about the many benefits of dietary supplements.
“As co-chair, I am eager to foster a space for discussion about…the vital role that suppliers and manufacturers play in broadening nutritional options for consumers, and the importance of meaningful research on these issues,” he said. “I believe this caucus will allow robust discussion that will culminate into action that betters the wellness of so many across the country.”
