The supplement industry has strongly welcomed the appointment of US Representative Mia Love of Utah, who will be taking on a new leadership role as co-chair of the Congressional Dietary Supplement Caucus (DSC). Rep. Love replaces Rep. Jason Chaffetz, formerly a DSC co-chair, who retired from the House of Representatives earlier this summer.
“I’m excited to begin work on behalf of the 68% of Americans who take dietary supplements every year,” Rep. Love said. “The industry is also a crucial part of Utah’s economy. Not only do dietary supplement companies provide jobs and opportunities here, they give consumers the opportunity to make educated choices to fill critical nutrient gaps and achieve better health.”
Love, who represents Utah’s 4th congressional district, is the former mayor of Saratoga Springs, Utah, and is known as a tireless advocate of the need for personal accountability. She currently serves on the House Financial Services Committee and on the Monetary Policy and Trade, Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit, and the Terrorism and Illicit Financing Subcommittees.
Loren Israelsen, president of the United Natural Products Alliance, which is based in Salt Lake City, said, “UNPA is thrilled that Rep. Love is taking on this important new leadership role. We look forward to working with her to help grow the $41 billion national dietary supplement industry, which includes more than $13 billion in supplement business activity in Utah. The dietary supplement industry is a positive and powerful economic engine that creates thousands of jobs while helping Americans support their healthy lifestyles
Established in 2006, the 32-member DSC plays an important role in raising the profile and benefits of the US $41 billion dietary supplement industry. As a bipartisan congressional group of legislators, the DSC fosters discussions among lawmakers about the benefits of dietary supplements, according to the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA), Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) and United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA). In her new role, Rep. Love joins Sens. Orrin Hatch R-Utah, and Martin Heinrich, D-NM, and Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colorado as DSC co-chairs.
“As more than 170 million Americans take dietary supplements each year, the Dietary Supplement Caucus serves as an important resource to ensure legislators and their staff learn more about the wellness benefits of dietary supplements and the regulatory complexities of our booming industry,” said Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) President & CEO Steve Mister, in a joint press release from the four above-mentioned trade groups. “CRN welcomes Rep. Love to her new position and is eager to see how her voice and fresh perspective will further the Caucus’ crucial work.”
“Congresswoman Love deeply understands the value of dietary supplements and the important role they play for the millions of Americans who use them to support their overall health and wellness,” said Scott Melville, president and CEO of the Consumer Healthcare Products Association. “We look forward to working with her and her colleagues at DSC to educate Congress about the policy issues that impact the supplement industry.”
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