Why Utah? How the Beehive State became the supplement capital of the U.S.
The remarkable history behind a cast of unlikely characters and a collection of fortuitous circumstances that led to a $16 billion industry.
Regulation & policy
CRN: Goldilocks and the regulatory bear: Avoiding the too-hot, too-cold pitfalls of supplement rules
In this guest article, CRN’s Steve Mister reviews the year’s big issues and CRN’s initiatives and actions on multiple fronts.
International Probiotics Association: A legacy of excellence and a bold strategic evolution
In this guest article, IPA’s George Parskevakos reviews an eventful and transformative 2024 for the organization...
AHPA: Today’s challenges, tomorrow’s opportunities and the path forward for dietary supplements
In this guest article, AHPA’s Michael McGuffin looks back at an eventful 2024 and ahead to 2025.
Bill to restrict supplement access introduced in Texas
Texas has become the latest state to introduce a bill that seeks to prohibit the sale of certain diet pills and dietary supplements for weight loss or muscle building to minors.
Making the harder choice: CRN’s self-regulatory initiatives
In this guest article, Dr. Andrea Wong discusses the Council for Responsible Nutrition’s initiatives, from best practices for specific ingredient and product categories to a dietary supplement product registry.
DS industry reacts to Dr. Marty Makary’s nomination for FDA Commissioner
Dietary supplement trade associations have issued optimistic responses to the news of the nomination of Johns Hopkins surgeon Dr. Martin “Marty” Makary for commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration.
NutraCast: US Hemp Authority’s new certification program and the state of the hemp industry
As the hemp industry rapidly evolves, the U.S. Hemp Authority, a third-party certification body for hemp and CBD products, recently launched its Adult-Use Hemp Product Certification Program. The program is designed for manufacturers and sellers of...
Trade associations respond to RFK Jr.’s HHS nomination
Dietary supplement trade associations have responded to President-elect Trump’s nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.
TikTok Shop's growing influence on the health and beauty consumer
Social platforms are increasingly influencing consumer shopping behaviors by offering brands a unique opportunity to capture the attention of a diverse audience. One such platform is TikTok Shop, which sees over 80% of its dollar sales in the health and...
UNPA’s Israelsen: ‘The gap between the science and the framework of a structure-function claim is increasingly stressed’
Dietary supplements are permitted to make structure-function claims, but the industry is increasingly seeking a solution to make stronger claims given the rapid advances in the science supporting the efficacy of some ingredients and products.
Across the Nutraverse: US supplement usage, OmniActive’s new acquisition, SABPA report, and more
A lot has happened in the global nutrition industry over the past seven days, with headlines including data from CRN’s annual consumer survey, OmniActive’s recent M&A activity, NPA celebrating NMN success, and the inaugural SABPA symposium. Catch up with...
NPA hails ‘monumental victory’ with NMN case
The Natural Products Association (NPA) is celebrating after a federal court granted a joint motion to stay proceedings in a lawsuit to allow the Food and Drug Administration to respond to a Citizen Petition that may resolve the case about Nicotinamide...
Guest Article
Inaugural SABPA symposium: Ensuring access to and benefit sharing for Southern African botanicals
Over 80 stakeholders from government, academia and industry gathered recently at the first Southern African Botanical Products Association (SABPA) symposium to discuss best practices to successfully bring compliant ingredients to the world market.
Dietary supplement industry considers the future of U.S.-China tariffs
The dietary supplement industry continues to closely monitor the evolution of tariff policies between China and the United States, pending the outcome of the U.S. presidential election.
Across the Nutraverse: New Jersey attempted restrictions, France’s new supplements platform and natural product regulation in NZ
A lot has happened in the global nutrition industry over the past seven days, with a restrictive supplements bill passing the New Jersey Assembly, NZ’s new natural products bill and France’s new online platform for supplements among the headlines. Catch...
NJ State Assembly passes bill to prohibit certain supplement sales to minors
The New Jersey Assembly voted 56-17 to pass a bill that seeks to prohibit the sale of certain diet pills and dietary supplements for weight loss or muscle building.
'Slick and ambitious' French platform uses tech to boost supplement safety and transparency
The French Ministry of Agriculture has launched Compl’Alim, a mandatory online system for declaring new supplements.
NutraCast: 'Uniting for a higher purpose': The story behind DSHEA
On the 30th anniversary of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, we sat down with United Natural Products Association (UNPA) President Loren Israelsen, who played an instrumental role in the landmark legislation that protects...
Celebrating 30 years of DSHEA: Taking a look back to look forward
Signed into law on Oct. 25, 1994, the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) ushered in a new and lasting era for the dietary supplement industry.
FrieslandCampina Ingredients announces EU approval for protein hydrolysate in formulas
Following changes in EU regulations in 2022, Hyvital Whey HA 300 has passed scientific and safety evaluations, becoming one of only a few milk hydrolysate ingredients approved for infant and follow-on formulas.
FTC announces final ‘Click-to-Cancel’ rule
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has finalized its “Click-to-Cancel” rule, which mandates that sellers make it as easy for consumers to end recurring online subscriptions and memberships as it was to sign up.
Truemed unlocks HSA/FSA coverage for dietary supplements
Only 3% of healthcare spending in the United States goes toward preventive measures.
GRMA launches Innovative Product Integrity Program
The Global Retailer and Manufacturer Alliance said it is hoping to increase confidence in product integrity within the supply chain by introducing the Innovative Product Integrity Program.
NutraCast: The Rise of iHerb: From start-up to global e-commerce giant
In the 1990s, iHerb entered the market as a small California start-up selling St. John's Wort online but quickly saw global demand, receiving orders from five different countries on its first day alone.
Steve Mister calls for convergence at CRN conference
Last week, the Council for Responsible Nutrition hosted its annual executive conference at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City, with sessions spanning emerging science, marketing and communication, innovation, technology and the evolving regulatory...
Sports & Active Nutrition Summit 2025: Early bird discount expires today!
With expert speakers confirmed from iHerb, GNC Live Well, SPINS, AN Performance, AHPA, Thorne, Move Nutriton Network, Amin Wasserman Gurnani LLP, IceMiller, Merchant & Gould, CPG Radar, Savage Nutra, Increnovo, Rockon Media and more, the upcoming Sports...
FDA’s Human Foods Program in effect, emphasizing modernized food safety, nutrition and transparency
As the single largest reorganization in FDA’s history, the agency’s unified and modernized Human Foods Program is in effect and will “zero in” on science-based measures towards food safety and public health, according to the agency’s leadership.
dsm-firmenich wins €1 million compensation in biotin patent fight
dsm-firmenich has been awarded approximately €1.02 million in a patent infringement case relating to it biotin intermediate production technology.
CHPA’s MacKay on Amazon policy: ‘The retailers are watching’
The recent Consumer Healthcare Products Association’s Regulatory, Scientific & Quality (RSQ) Conference brought together leaders from across the consumer healthcare landscape to discuss issues that are facing the industry and find solutions to some of...
‘Great content and loved the networking opportunities!’: Save the date for Probiota Americas 2025
NutraIngredients-USA is pleased to announce the dates for the 10th anniversary edition of Probiota Americas, described by one recent attendee as “one of the finest, most balanced events in the supplement industry globally.”
Across the Nutraverse: NJ seeks to restrict supplement access, caffeine guidance, fatigue and anxiety in Japan, and more
A lot has happened in the global nutrition industry over the past seven days, with New Jersey attempting to restrict access to select dietary supplements, Japan’s youth reporting being fatigued and anxious, UK guidance over caffeine in supplements and...
Guidance on caffeine in supplements issued amid safety concerns
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued new guidance to ensure the safe consumption and production of food supplements containing high levels of caffeine in response to growing health risk concerns.
NJ State Assembly bill that restricts supplements to minors advances
New Jersey, home to many dietary supplement industry players like The Vitamin Shoppe, Gaspari Nutrition, NutraBio Labs Inc and Solgar Inc, is now facing potential restrictions on dietary supplement sales.
A look back at the OTC botanical drug route: How phytomedicine became dietary supplement
In 1992, Bill Clinton was elected president, Silence of the Lambs swept the Academy Awards, grunge broke into mainstream fashion, and the phrase “surfing the Internet” was coined.
New ASA rulings target CBD for kids “grey area”
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) identifies two brands making claims that cannabidiol (CBD) is suitable for consumption by children, but “legal and safe are two different things” according to expert opinion.
AHPA submits comments to UK FSA’s call for evidence for ashwagandha
The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) has submitted comments to the United Kingdom Food Standards Agency's (FSA) supporting the safety, usage and science of ashwagandha.
The botanical supply chain and its discontents
The global botanical supply chain is hampered by challenges posed by tariffs, climate change, and geopolitical and economic volatility.
FDA’s food czar laments ‘virtually no barriers to entry to the dietary supplement market’
FDA Deputy Commissioner Jim Jones restated the Agency’s commitment to a Mandatory Product Listing for dietary supplements as a way to counter a perceived lack of barriers to entry. The Natural Products Association called the statements a “slap in the...
FDA warns against use of tainted Umary and Amazy products
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued another warning advising consumers to refrain from purchasing or using Umary and Amazy products marketed as dietary supplements.
‘Unfortunately a very accurate account of the current state of GRAS review’: NEJM Perspective calls on FDA to ‘proactively’ revisit GRAS process
A new perspective in the New England Journal of Medicine highlights flaws in the FDA’s GRAS process and calls for improvements by the Agency, noting that a failure to act may encourage State-led initiatives.
Guest article
Regulatory update on dietary supplements: Key insights from Canada
The Canadian political and regulatory landscape has significantly shifted, especially under the current Liberal government, and these changes have directly impacted the natural health products (NHP) sector. In this guest article, CHFA’s Aaron Skelton...
NutraWomen Wednesday: Alicia Wolf, senior director of regulatory affairs, Ritual
Alicia Wolf, senior director of regulatory affairs at Ritual, said her journey into regulatory work wasn't exactly planned. A Fargo, North Dakota native, Wolf grew up with horses. She aspired to be a zoologist, which led her to pursue her undergraduate...
NPA’s Fabricant on NMN lawsuit: ‘We've got to take a stand on these things’
The Natural Products Association has filed a lawsuit against the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requesting the agency cease its unlawful retroactive application of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act against Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN).
FTC announces Final Rule banning fake reviews and testimonials
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has finalized its rules to combat fake reviews and testimonials, including those generated by A.I., by prohibiting their sale or purchase. The rule will also allow the commission to seek civil penalties against knowing...
California bill to restrict access to weight loss products dies in Appropriations Committee
A controversial bill in California to restrict access to weight management supplements for minors failed to pass Senate appropriations, a result hailed by the dietary supplements industry.
Picking the right analytical testing lab strongly advised
Insisting on a high bar in product testing protects both a company’s bottom line and the dietary supplement industry’s long-term success, says Alkemist Labs.
Amazon sellers pay the high price of updated dietary supplements policy
Vox Nutrition has made a sizable investment to offset the costly tests associated with Amazon’s new TIC requirements, however, the private label manufacturer admits many of their smaller clients have still been forced to jump ship.
Brands urged to avoid misleading menopause marketing following ASA rulings
Breaching advertising codes for menopause supplement marketing is not fair to the consumer, says a menopause brand expert.
NutraCast: TINA.org exposes ACV brands misleading consumers
The advertising watchdog recently explored the divide between the marketing and the science pertaining to popular apple cider vinegar supplements.