CRN Responds to Panel Report on Multivitamins

17/05/06 The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), the dietary supplement industry's leading trade association, today issued the following statement in response to the report presented by the scientific panel at the NIH State-of-the-Science Conference on Multivitamin/Mineral Supplements and Chronic Disease Prevention held this week in Bethesda, Md.

Statement by Steven M. Mister, Esq., President and CEO:

For millions of Americans who struggle with diet and nutrition, a daily multivitamin provides a safe, affordable, and reliable means of filling nutrition gaps and promoting overall good health.

FDA already regulates dietary supplements including multivitamins and has indicated on numerous occasions that it has the appropriate regulatory authority necessary to protect the public. CRN supports mandatory reporting of serious adverse events by supplement companies to FDA.

CRN agrees that more research examining the effects of multivitamins on the prevention of chronic diseases could provide valuable insights for consumers. However, consideration should also be given as to whether the drug model for clinical research is the appropriate way to assess the preventative benefits of nutrients. In the meantime, consumers should be encouraged to eat a well-balanced diet, get plenty of exercise, and take a multivitamin every day.