The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), a leading trade association for the dietary supplement and functional food industry, has introduced two new sets of voluntary guidelines aimed at enhancing consumer safety and product integrity. Announced on March 28, 2024, these guidelines focus on the formulation, labeling, and packaging of melatonin-containing supplements and gummy dietary supplements.

For melatonin supplements, key updates include cautionary labeling to inform consumers about the potential for drowsiness and the advisability of not mixing with alcohol. The guidelines also address manufacturing overages to ensure that products are safe and effective throughout their shelf life. Additionally, to prevent unintended ingestion by children, CRN now recommends that melatonin products, particularly those in flavored chewable forms, utilize child-deterrent packaging. Members are encouraged to implement these melatonin guidelines within 18 months.

Regarding gummy supplements, which are popular among all age groups, the new guidelines emphasize the need for clear labeling and child-resistant packaging to reduce the risk of unsupervised access and potential choking hazards, especially in children under four years of age. These recommendations reflect a growing concern about the safety of these accessible and appealing products. CRN members are asked to adopt these gummy supplement guidelines within 24 months.

Steve Mister, President and CEO of CRN, expressed the organization's commitment to consumer well-being and market integrity, stating, "By setting these high standards, we help our members offer products that are responsibly manufactured and marketed, and widely trusted by consumers."

These initiatives are part of CRN’s broader effort to self-regulate the industry through various guidelines that also cover caffeine content, enzymes, probiotics, and proper iodine levels for pregnant and lactating women, among other aspects. The association encourages its members and the wider industry to adopt these practices swiftly to ensure the highest level of consumer safety and confidence in their products.