Advocacy

AHPA advocates the U.S. Congress; state governments; FDA; FTC; USDA; FWS; NIH; NCCIH; U.S. Pharmacopeia and others for effective laws and regulations that promote the responsible commerce of herbal products.

News

AHPA informs members and the industry about news and issues through daily email alerts and a monthly newsletter. AHPA also promotes the benefits of herbs to mainstream and industry media as well as scientific journals.

Events

AHPA regularly produces in-person and online educational events featuring industry-leading experts discussing regulatory and technical issues that impact the herbal product industry. 

Resource Library

AHPA provides Guidance Documents, Policies, Trade Requirement, and Reference Materials to help members comply with the herbal industry laws and regulations.

Latest News

  • Blog Article Image

    March 27, 2024 Enjoying these herbal history lessons? Don't forget to share with your network using the buttons at the top of every entry!   In an effort to preserve and share the fascinating histories of medicinal plants and herbs that have been used around the world for ages, the AHPA Foundation for Education and Research on Botanicals (AHPA-ERB Foundation) is honored to partner with Alain Touwaide, Ph.D., and Emanuela Appetiti of the Institute for the Preservation of Medical Traditions to launch the Herbs in History project in 2022. The latest entries delve into the histories of tamarind and celery. Preview the entries below and visit Herbs in History online to read more. Tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) All roads lead to... Whereas all roads lead to Rome in some parts of the world, in India, “no road does not end at the base of the tamarind tree” (Tamarindus indica L.) according to Tamil novelist Sundara Ramaswamy in Tamarind History (1966). | Read more...     Celery (Apium graveolens L.) Uncertainties? If there is an easy growing and sociable plant, it probably is celery (Apium graveolens L.) (Apiaceae, ex Umbelliferae). A native from Macaronesia to Western Himalaya, from Europe to Northern Africa now ubiquitous, it is a biennial, self-fertile aromatic plant that grows in light to heavy, and also saline soils, preferably moist. If it likes the sun or semi-shade, it tolerates frosts (even though it might suffer from hard frosts). And it is a good companion to leek, tomato, beans, and brassica, in addition to being an insect repellent. | Read more...   About the Project Herbs in History is made possible by funding from the AHPA-ERB Foundation, as part of the nonprofit foundation's mission promote education and research on medicinal, therapeutic, and health-promoting herbs. Tune in monthly for thoughtfully detailed historical accounts of herbs you know and love, and learn more about the origins of medicinal plants that have stood the test of time.

    • Wednesday, March 27, 2024
    • | Posted by AHPA
  • Blog Article Image

    March 26, 2024 The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA), together with Quality Assurance International (QAI), and the Organic Trade Association (OTA), is pleased to announce the publication of an updated “Guidance on Formulation and Marketing of Dietary Supplements Under the National Organic Program.” The updated resource, produced collaboratively by AHPA, QAI, and OTA, replaces the 2018 version and provides guidance to companies that wish to market organically labeled dietary supplements in the United States.   The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic Program (NOP) implements and enforces the USDA organic regulations. In recognition of the increasing complexity of organic supply chains, and to ensure organic integrity is maintained throughout the supply chain, the NOP released the Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) final rule on January 19, 2023.   SOE represents the most significant piece of organic rulemaking since the regulations came into force in 2002. It impacts the entire organic supply chain, including some previously exempt operations and operations that are already certified organic. The updated version of the guidance document incorporates important details of the new SOE requirements, the enforcement of which began on March 19, 2024.   In addition, the updated guidance includes information about the types of supplements that are eligible for organic certification under the NOP, and the various NOP labeling categories that are available for several types of supplement products. It also provides an overview of the regulatory obligations that must be met from the farm to the packaged products, as finished product marketers have regulatory obligations not only for their own manufactured products but also for the organic and nonorganic ingredients they use.   “AHPA is pleased to again partner with QAI and OTA in maintaining this guidance document as a resource for the organic dietary supplement industry,” said Jane Wilson, AHPA Director of Program Development. “Their leadership and expertise in organic production, and the SOE changes in particular, are key to making sure the organic supplement industry is prepared to meet the new SOE requirements.”   “With the enforcement date of the SOE rule quickly approaching, this document is a must-read for members across the organic dietary supplement supply chain,” said Sonia Acuña-Rubio, Director of Food Product Certification, QAI, an NSF company. “As one of the largest organic certification bodies in the U.S., QAI is committed to supporting the dietary supplement industry with meeting organic regulations, including the SOE, with additional free resources available at nsf.org.”   The updated “Guidance on Formulation and Marketing of Dietary Supplements Under the National Organic Program” is available now to AHPA members through the AHPA website, in addition to being available on OTA website and the NSF website.

    • Tuesday, March 26, 2024
    • | Posted by AHPA
  • Blog Article Image

    Holly E. Johnson, Ph.D., co-chairs a new working group focused on Botanical Identity March 21, 2024 American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) Chief Science Officer Holly E. Johnson, Ph.D., recently participated in the AOAC International Midyear Meeting in Gaithersburg, MD, March 4-7, 2024. AOAC's Midyear Meeting serves as a venue for the AOAC community to come together to advance needed analytical methods through dialogue and consensus. Dr. Johnson co-chairs a new working group focused on Botanical Identity with AHPA member Cristina Amarillas, Ph.D., Chief Science Officer, Botanicals at Eurofins Scientific. The working group, which will initially focus on creating a guidance document of best practices for development and validation of fit for purpose scientifically valid methods of evaluation for supporting identity specification for botanical materials, was formed within AOAC's Botanical Ingredients & Dietary Supplements Integrity (BIDSI) program. Other working groups within AOAC BIDSI are addressing priority analytical issues including Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids, PFAS, and Ethylene Oxide testing methods. The AOAC BIDSI program is designed to provide raw agricultural producers, manufacturers, testing laboratories, and retail establishments with the analytical resources necessary to ensure product integrity, including reliable Certificates of Analysis (i.e., quality and accurate labeling for identity, purity, strength, and composition). During the weeklong AOAC gathering, Dr. Johnson presented at the BIDSI meeting, which also featured Constance Bahr (AOAC), James Harnly, Ph.D. (USDA), Adam Kuszak, Ph.D. (NIH ODS), Gregory Noonan, Ph.D. (FDA), Allyn Shultis (GRMA), and Darryl Sullivan (Eurofins) as speakers.   From left: Adam Kuszak, Ph.D. (NIH ODS), James Harnly, Ph.D. (USDA), Constance Bahr (AOAC), Holly E. Johnson, Ph.D. (AHPA), Cris Amarillas (Eurofins), Allyn Shultis (GRMA), and Darryl Sullivan (Eurofins)   From left: Constance Bahr (AOAC), Mohamed Koroma (Pharmavite), Holly E. Johnson, Ph.D. (AHPA), and Mary Kay Krogull (Eurofins)   Gregory Noonan (FDA) presenting at the AOAC BIDSI meeting   “I look forward to continued collaboration with my esteemed colleagues at AOAC as part of supporting botanical identify verification and other analytical matters impacting AHPA members and the wider herbal and dietary supplement industries," said Dr. Johnson.

    • Thursday, March 21, 2024
    • | Posted by AHPA
  • Blog Article Image

    March 20, 2024 AHPA trustees* (from left): Allison Zolnay (Amway), Laura Najera (Metagenics), Daniel Gagnon (Trace Herbals FKA Herbs, Etc.), Alessandra Storzini (Indena), Steven Yeager (Mountain Rose Herbs), Mitch Coven (Vitality Works), Erin Smith (Banyan Botanicals), Bill Chioffi (Nammex), Nils Mueggenburg (Mueggenburg USA), Elise Higley (Oshala Farm), Mark Jost (Gemini Pharmaceuticals), Matt Warnock (RidgeCrest Herbals), Elan Sudberg (Alkemist Labs), Katie Banaszewski (NOW Foods), Wilson Lau (Nuherbs), Edward Fletcher (Native Botanicals, Inc.), Kristina Tucker (The Republic of Tea), Nate Brennan (Pacific Botanicals), and Sindy Wise (WishGarden Herbs) Last week, the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) conducted the annual election for AHPA's Board of Trustees at the AHPA Annual Member Meeting on March 13 at Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, CA. AHPA is pleased to welcome the following industry leaders, representing the wide range of herbal and dietary supplement industry segments supported by AHPA, who were each elected to serve 3-year terms on the AHPA board: New Trustees Nate Brennan (Pacific Botanicals) Mark Jost (Gemini Pharmaceuticals) Greg Sommerville (Frontier Co-op) Sindy Wise (WishGarden Herbs) Re-elected Trustees Staci Eisner (Cortex Scientific Botanicals) Erin Smith (Banyan Botanicals) Kristina Tucker (The Republic of Tea)   Following the election, the new board convened to elect board officers and executive committee members for the coming year: Board Officers Chair: Kristina Tucker (The Republic of Tea) Vice Chair: Trent McCausland (Nature's Sunshine) Secretary: Erin Smith (Banyan Botanicals) Treasurer: Mitch Coven (Vitality Works) Executive Committee Elan Sudberg (Alkemist Labs) Beth Lambert (Herbalist & Alchemist) Steven Yeager (Mountain Rose Herbs)   “AHPA's trustees provide invaluable experience and expertise to our staff and membership, and we are grateful for their leadership and generous contribution of their time and efforts to support the association and advance the industry," said AHPA President Michael McGuffin. *Not pictured: Raza Bashir (Iovate), Matt Bletsch (Celestial Seasonings), David Bunting (Herb Pharm), Staci Eisner (Cortex Scientific Botanicals), Taryn Forrelli (Traditional Medicinals), Beth Lambert (Herbalist & Alchemist), Matthew Lowe (Botanic Tonics), Trent McCausland (Nature's Sunshine), Sara Newmark (True Grace), Maria Laura Reyes (Tadin Herb & Tea), Graham Rigby (Care/of), Greg Sommerville (Frontier Co-op), Troy Smillie (Herbalife), Lynn Warner (Givaudan), Max Willis (Better Being)

    • Wednesday, March 20, 2024
    • | Posted by AHPA
View All News >

Events

View Calendar >
AHPA appreciates the support of its sponsors, but does not endorse, recommend, or provide a warranty for any sponsor company, its products or services.
AHPA has no responsibility for any transaction entered into with any of these companies.