Washington, D.C.—The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) is celebrating its 40^th anniversary this year. Created in 1973 by a trio of companies and a single staffer, CRN is recognized as a leading trade association that defends the science behind supplements.

Throughout its history, CRN has been at the forefront of landmark legislation for the industry, playing key roles in the passing of the Vitamin Bill (1976), the Nutrition Labeling Education Act (1990), the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (1994) and the Dietary Supplement and Non-Prescription Drug Consumer Protection Act (2006). It hosted its 10^th Day on the Hill lobbying event this year.

CRN in recent years has been a leader internationally, first obtaining official designation as a non-governmental organization (NGO) eligible to participate actively in Codex Alimentarius meetings and working groups, and later forming an international arm of CRN.

The group’s educational outreach also make it a standout trade association. Five years ago, CRN launched the consumer education campaign “Life…supplemented,” which won the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Silver Anvil award, which is the society’s highest honor. This month (Sept. 18–21), CRN booked Daniel Fabricant, Ph.D., director of FDA’s Division of Dietary Supplement Programs, as the keynote speaker at The Conference: CRN’s Annual Symposium for the Dietary Supplement Industry in Park City, Utah.

Currently, CRN represents more than 100 dietary supplement manufacturers, ingredient suppliers and service companies. The group recently expanded its membership categories to include additional types of companies.

Published in WholeFoods Magazine, September 2013, online 8/12/13