AHPA Updates

Despite living through a pandemic and a bad economy, many consumers prefer brands that prioritize sustainable and environmentally friendly business practices. Packaging is a front-and-center, can-hold-in-your-hand reminder of how a brand’s operation affects the world. It’s clear from consumer surveys that sustainable packaging is in and single-use plastic is out. This session will help brands choose the best packaging option for their natural product. Learn more here.

In comments submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last Friday, AHPA has requested structural revisions to a list of crops that the agency has determined are “rarely consumed raw” (the RCR list). Foods on the RCR list are exempted from the provisions of the Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption regulation, commonly known as the Produce Safety Rule.

AHPA has expanded the resources available on its COVID-19 Web Center to help the herbal products industry prepare for vaccine distribution efforts. Vaccine distribution is already ongoing, and important allocation decisions may need to be made with very little advance notice. AHPA encourages members of the herbal products industry to study state vaccine distribution policies, identify public health contacts, and plan for these moments before they occur.

The January 2021 AHPA Report includes: AHPA is hiring: Manager of Communications & Marketing; Noted physician touts nutrition’s critical role in supporting immune health for congressional staff; New safety information added to Botanical Safety Handbook; AHPA attends FDA public meetings clarifying proposed food traceability rule; AHPA attends Cosmetic Ingredients Review meeting.

AHPA has released updates via the online Botanical Safety Handbook 2nd ed. to four additional botanicals.

Washington, D.C., December 15, 2020—Tieraona Low Dog, M.D., recently educated congressional staffers on the responsible role of dietary supplements in supporting immune health, as well as their many other health and wellness benefits, particularly in the era of COVID-19. Dr. Low Dog was featured at the final Congressional Dietary Supplement Caucus (DSC) briefing of 2020, held last week. An expert in integrative medicine, dietary supplements and women’s health, Dr. Low Dog shared insights on the importance of proactive health maintenance, including addressing nutrient deficiencies that increase risk of infection and disease.

The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) is issuing its annual call for candidates for elected trustees to the association's Board of Trustees. Due to the cancellation of Expo West in Anaheim, the Board of Trustees has made the decision that the election for the 2021 cycle will be held in a virtual format during AHPA's annual member meeting, to also be held virtually on March 9, 2021. Candidates should be prepared to participate in an online platform where they will have the opportunity to give a short address to the membership.

The Association's

The December 2020 AHPA Report includes: AHPA promotes Amber Bennett to new VP position; Ransomware Protection: How Safe is Your Data?; AHPA Webinar: Post-Election Download - Free and On-Demand; Call for candidates to AHPA's Board of Trustees; Nominations now being accepted for 2021 AHPA Awards and more.