WASHINGTON — The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) has formally called on the U.S. Department of Commerce to exempt dietary supplements and their ingredients from potential tariffs stemming from a Section 232 national security investigation into pharmaceutical imports.
In comments submitted May 7, CRN emphasized that dietary supplements are distinct from pharmaceuticals, despite sometimes sharing Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes. The association warned that including supplements in the investigation could lead to supply chain disruptions, higher consumer prices, job losses, and increased risks of product adulteration.
“CRN respectfully urges the Department to protect the U.S. dietary supplement industry’s role in supporting the health, jobs, and economy for Americans,” the association wrote. “CRN recommends the Department recognize the differences between pharmaceuticals and dietary supplements and expressly exclude dietary supplements and their ingredients from this Section 232 investigation.”
CRN highlighted that the supplement industry supports over 616,000 U.S. jobs and generates $158 billion in annual economic output. With roughly 75% of American adults relying on supplements for health and wellness, the association argued that access must remain affordable and uninterrupted.
“Consumers depend on affordable, high-quality supplements to maintain their health, and U.S. manufacturers depend on stable ingredient supply chains to deliver those products,” said Steve Mister, CRN’s President and CEO. “Tariffs designed to protect national security should not limit access to dietary supplements, thereby endangering American jobs and public health.”
The organization urged the Commerce Department to adopt a nuanced approach that distinguishes between pharmaceutical drugs and dietary supplements, while accounting for global ingredient sourcing realities. CRN reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with federal agencies to protect national security without harming public health or the supplement industry.
