ESSNA recently repositioned itself as a formal trade group and its 30+ members include Carbery, First Milk, Iovate Health Sciences, Maxinutrition, Volac and Weider Germany.
The group has become more vocal in recent years, especially around EU health claims, food supplements and special foods (PARNUTS) laws.
“ESSNA has now taken on the role of ‘policing’ the European sports nutrition industry to ensure compliance with EU regulation,” the group said.
Glanbia Performance Nutrition marketing director Jonathan Drake said of the Irish firm's move: “Regulatory compliance remains a top priority for us and being a member of ESSNA will push forward our intents to consistently improve the inherent value of our systems and products.”
Jason Rickaby, the managing director and co-founder of PhD Nutrition said ESSNA was assisting growth in a market that has in the past suffered over quality issues.
“It has always been PhD Nutrition's objective to help lead the market towards a less confusing, more transparent consumer offering, away from the none-compliant, grey area imports that are potentially damaging towards our great industry.”
“PhD aim to work tirelessly with ESSNA, and other respected brands, to help ensure maximum consumer trust in their chosen purchase.”
United front
ESSNA chair Dr Adam Carey emphasised the importance of unity in the sector.
“This very much sends a message to other companies that we’ll be stronger together, working to make sure that as an industry we are meeting EU regulations that are designed to inform and protect consumers,” he said.
“We look forward to further expanding our membership to aid the incredible growth that our industry has and we hope will continue to see over the coming years.“
The group has been lobbying hard over the best legal framework for sports products, with ESSNA vice-chair Suzane Leser telling us recently, “We think that sport nutrition can be adequately regulated within general food legislation provided appropriate adaptations are made – so that the specific nutritional needs of sports people are recognised.”
“A key issue for ESSNA is also the proper functioning of the internal market, an issue that will need to be addressed by the Commission.”