CAIM, DSEA Join Forces

WASHINGTON--The Corporate Alliance for Integrative Medicine (CAIM) has merged into the Dietary Supplement Education Alliance (DSEA) to encourage industry-wide cooperation for promoting knowledge of dietary supplements, DSEA announced today. As a result of the merger, CAIM's efforts to develop and fund industry research and educational programs will now be conducted through DSEA. In addition, the 10 manufacturers and suppliers that were members of CAIM have become members of DSEA (www.supplementinfo.org).

The DSEA motto is "One voice. One Industry. One Solution." CAIM voted to merge with DSEA to promote a united front in the effort to educate the public about the efficacy of herbs and other dietary supplements, according to the Alliance. "It is time that every facet of the natural products industry joins forces in its educational efforts, and through this merger, we have fashioned one of the strongest industry coalitions," said Elliot Balbert, president of DSEA and president and chief executive officer of Natrol Inc. "And we are proud to take this important step toward a unified effort. We hope this will serve as a catalyst for other trade groups and organizations to step forward so we can create one loud voice for the industry."

David Seckman, DSEA board member and president of the National Nutritional Foods Association (NNFA), added, "We welcome CAIM's support of the DSEA mission to better educate consumers so they can make informed choices to improve their health. DSEA's informative Web site and its ongoing ... media outreach combine to provide consumers with valuable and extensive educational resources. With this merger, we have greatly expanded our reach and look forward to gaining support from other companies and industry groups."