First Dietary Supplement Caucus briefing hosted for the 112th Congress

WASHINGTON — The congressional Dietary Supplement Caucus held its first briefing for the 112th Congress April 6 to a capacity crowd of 60 House and Senate staffers, the caucus announced Thursday.

The DSC recently was relaunched for the 112th Congress. The caucus serves as a bipartisan, bicameral group of members to facilitate discussions among lawmakers about the benefits of dietary supplements, provide tips and insights for better health and wellness, and promote research into the healthcare savings provided by dietary supplements.

In addition, the caucus brings congressional attention to the role of supplements in health promotion and disease prevention, and addresses the regulation of the supplement industry. Sens. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah; and Tom Harkin, D-Iowa; and Reps. Dan Burton, R-Ind.; Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah; Jared Polis, D-Colo.; and Frank Pallone, D-N.J., serve as co-chairs of the caucus.

The DSC also is made up of trade associations Natural Products Association, Council for Responsible Nutrition, American Herbal Products Association and United Natural Products Alliance.

Additional briefings will be scheduled on Capitol Hill. This was the first briefing for the 112th Congress and the ninth in a series of briefings since the DSC launched in 2005.