My Must See List for SupplySide East

With the 12th annual SupplySide East show less than 3 weeks away, I thought I would help you get ready with a few presentations that make it onto my "can't miss" list.

 "Sports Nutrition and Safe Supplements" is a session with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) addressing the issue of supplements allegedly adulterated with steroids. USADA's "Safe Supplements Now" campaign resulted in the recent bill introduced by Sen. McCain that would have gutted important parts of DSHEA, and burdened legitimate manufacturers and retailers with new requirements. McCain backed away from his bill after meeting with Sen. Hatch, and I have met with his staff on this issue. Watch this closely. It goes far beyond the sports supplement area and has the potential to affect the entire industry. This session is on Monday, April 26, 3-3:50pm.

"Ingredient Supplier Qualification and GMP Compliance" will explain the progress of a broad industry working group that is developing a standard guideline for all Certificates of Analysis. The group includes all of the trade associations and many major suppliers and manufacturers. Manufacturers are required to "qualify" all suppliers under the GMP regulation, and the efforts of this group should simplify that task and reduce the costs to do it. If your product has ingredients in it, you need to be in this loop. This session is Tuesday, April 27, 10-10:50am.

"The ODS Strategic Plan: 2010-2014" will feature Dr. Paul Coates, the director of the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Dr. Coates will go over their 5-year plan, which will have an effect on all of us. This is the official part of the government charged with evaluating, stimulating and supporting supplement research, and educating the public about supplements. This session is on Wednesday, April 28, 9-9:50am.

"FDA Featured Speaker Carl Reynolds" will be his first presentation to industry since being hired as senior advisor for FDA's dietary supplement programs. FDA announced the hiring of Carl during SupplySide West last fall. The topic is "GMP Inspections from FDA's Perspective." This session is on Wednesday, April 28, 11-11:50am, right before the exhibit hall opens, and it is open to everyone.

"BevNET Panel: Trends in Functional and Enhanced Beverages and Shots" is new this year and free for all SupplySide East participants. The panel is moderated by John McKenna, publisher of BevNET, and features the presidents of Mellow Beverage Company and NVE Pharmaceuticals. This sector is full of growth and opportunity, but also receiving scrutiny from FDA and others. This new panel takes place on Wednesday, April 28, 1-2:30pm.

The full education program is listed on the website, and there is still time to register. There are more than 30 sessions and I think it is our best program yet. I'll be there with the microphone asking tough questions, and I hope you can join us.