WASHINGTON — The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) has issued the following response regarding today’s news that Steven Tave is leaving his position as director of the Office of Dietary Supplement Programs (ODSP) and Dr. Cara Welch is stepping into the role of acting director.

Steve Mister

Steve Mister, president and CEO, CRN issued the following statement:

“While CRN is saddened to hear that Steven Tave is leaving his position as director of the Office of Dietary Supplement Programs (ODSP), we congratulate Mr. Tave on his new position in the Office of Regulatory Affairs at FDA. CRN is privileged to have had the opportunity to work closely with Mr. Tave over the last five years on initiatives to help strengthen the dietary supplement marketplace.

“We have valued his candor and transparency, and his willingness to consider industry perspectives when the agency made decisions affecting us. During Mr. Tave’s tenure, he presided over the elevation of ODSP from a Division to an Office, allowing for increased funding to monitor, inspect and enforce the growing dietary supplement marketplace. We commend Mr. Tave for his continued commitment to protect public health and wish him great success in his new role.

“CRN is delighted that Dr. Cara Welch will step into the role of acting director of ODSP starting March 15. We have also had the opportunity to work closely with Dr. Welch over the years and witness her commitment to strengthen the current regulatory framework for dietary supplements. We look forward to working with her on a number of critical industry initiatives in the future.”