CRN convenes a keynote panel in celebration of the 20th anniversary of DSHEA at annual meeting
WASHINGTON — The Council for Responsible Nutrition on Wednesday announced it will convene a keynote panel of legal, regulatory and legislative experts in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 at The Conference: CRN’s Annual Symposium for the Dietary Supplement Industry, Nov. 5 to 8.
The three panelists, all of whom were there for the birth of DSHEA, were among those who helped create, marshal and pass the landmark legislation that the industry has lived under for the past 20 years. This session will reunite these key players who will share their personal anecdotes and assessments about how and why DSHEA came about, and whether it’s still the appropriate law for the industry.
Scott Bass, partner, Sidley Austin, will deliver the keynote address. Bass played a key role in shaping DSHEA as an industry representative with what was then the National Nutritional Foods Association. Following his remarks, Patricia Knight, strategic partner, Knight Capitol Consultants and Kay Holcombe, SVP science policy, BIO, the Biotechnology Industry Organization, will take the stage along with him as panelists. In 1994, and for many years before and after, Knight was an integral leader in the office of Sen. Orrin Hatch, D-Utah — a longtime industry champion, and one of the architects responsible for creating and passing DSHEA. Holcombe served as professional health legislative staff and senior health policy advisor to the Energy and Commerce Committee in the House of Representatives under Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., and was instrumental in developing the bill and building consensus in the House.
“We are excited to hear from these three policy veterans who were so important 20 years ago to DSHEA’s passage into law,” stated Mike Greene, VP government relations, CRN. “There were so many people involved in DSHEA’s passage, but Scott, Trisha and Kay possess a unique perspective, having remained active in the dietary supplement and regulatory arena since that time. We trust they will provide interesting historical notes on the law that still shapes our business today, as well as counsel on the future of DSHEA and the dietary supplement industry.”
The “DSHEA at 20” session will take place the morning of Thursday, Nov. 6. In addition to the Conference, CRN is presenting The Workshop: CRN’s Day of Science, an all-day symposium on Nov. 5, just prior to The Conference.