Editors of Natural Products Insider reflected on memorable events last week from the SupplySide East trade show.
Last week, I and several of my editorial colleagues attended SupplySide East in Secaucus, New Jersey, where we moderated education panels, perused the trade show, interviewed industry experts and shared meals with friends and associates.
For me, the highlight was the chance to moderate an education panel focused on FDA issues and subsequently interview experts, including Cara Welch of FDA’s Office of Dietary Supplement Programs (ODSP), Loren Israelsen of the United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA) and Steve Mister of the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN).
During the education session, I presented high-level findings from a recent industry survey of regulatory issues conducted by SupplySide and Natural Products Insider, in partnership with New Hope Network’s NEXT custom research team. Then, Welch and four other regulatory and legal professionals discussed FDA issues, including the so-called drug preclusion clause in the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA), which has caused so much consternation in recent years.
During the Send Lawyers, Supps and Money education panel, CRN Senior Vice President and General Counsel Megan Olsen expressed concerns over how FDA is interpreting DSHEA’s drug preclusion provisions, and she noted her organization is working on a related citizen petition that will be filed soon with FDA.
“We saw this with NAC. We’re seeing it with NMN in how there can be some inconsistent interpretations and a skewing of the language that favors drug interests over supplement interests,” Olsen said. “Keeping in mind purpose and how the industry moves forward…DSHEA was about public access and ensuring that consumers have continued access to safe and beneficial ingredients.”
After SupplySide East wrapped up, I asked my colleagues to reflect on the event. Here’s what they had to say.
-- Todd Runestad, content director, Natural Products Insider
“Good vibe, bustling crowd, lots of first-timers and day-trippers from Jersey. Everybody I talked to had great things to say about making connections, renewing relationships and learning new stuff.
People remarked on things they learned in the seminar room—from the proper dosage of DHA for cognitive health (850 mg) to the best way to qualify your supplier overseas (buy the ticket, take the ride), the power of social media influencers for brands, and how about that packed house for the women’s session (the room populated with a not-insignificant number of men, which was encouraging).
I for one found lots to fulfill my curiosity for issues we’ll be talking about in upcoming Natural Products Insider digital magazines—sleep support ingredients, delivery formats from liposomes to gummies, new and old sports nutrition ingredients, and some like creatine with newfound uses beyond improving muscle mass.”
-- Hank Schultz, senior editor, Natural Products Insider