AHPA Alerts

The U.S. dietary supplement industry is aware of the growing concern regarding the Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) and of the public’s desire to protect itself against the virus. The four leading trade associations representing the dietary supplement industry support the responsible sale and use of vitamins, minerals, herbs and other dietary supplements that provide many positive benefits promoting better health and wellness. However, we are concerned that some marketers of dietary supplements or other products may be promoting them with claims of prevention or treatment of Coronavirus.

In comments submitted to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), AHPA requested numerous, significant revisions to the Interim Final Rule (IFR) that establishes a domestic hemp production program before a Final Rule is promulgated in 2021.

A partial trade agreement signed by the United States and China on January 15, 2020, will reduce U.S.-imposed tariffs on some imported Chinese goods used by U.S. dietary supplement and food companies, but it will leave tariffs on other commodities in place, at least for the short term.

China announces new health food naming guidelines, European Commission lowers the level of citrinin (a mycotoxin) in food supplements, Belgium limits the intake of curcuminoids with their natural bioavailability to 500 mg of curcuminoids per day, and French authorities caution the intake of supplements containing berberine in this issue of the IADSA Newsflash.

AHPA President Michael McGuffin presented with three other panelists in a session titled, “CBD Market Forecast: Feast or Famine” at the Hemp Industry Daily Forum during the MJBizCon in Las Vegas earlier this week.

Nutritional Outlook named AHPA President Michael McGuffin Industry Leader as part of the publication's 2019 Best of Industry Awards. This year, McGuffin celebrated his 20th anniversary as association president. "Under Michael's tenure—and even before that, when he served on the association’s board of trustees—AHPA has been a leading influence and guiding hand in shaping the safe, responsible, and prosperous herb commerce market that so many consumers rely on today," according to the Nutritional Outlook announcement.

On October 26, 2018, the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) listed “nickel (soluble compounds)” as a chemical known to the state to cause reproductive toxicity under Proposition 65. The listing went into effect for soluble nickel compounds on October 26, 2019. Companies need to be aware of the new Prop 65 requirements for certain products that expose consumers to soluble nickel compounds and should refer to the current Proposition 65 requirements to determine the appropriate format and content of any warnings necessary for their products.

AHPA published guidance, “Compliance with the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act for Marketers of Chinese Herbal Products,” to provide members with a summary of Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 (FALCPA) and identify ingredients and preparations found in traditional Chinese herbal ingredients and formulas that may require labeling as major food allergens.

U.S. Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced almost $600,000 in federal funding for a Virginia Tech project to expand the impact of the Appalachian Beginning Forest Farmer Coalition (ABFFC) by increasing membership and improving opportunities and capabilities among forest farmers.

AHPA has posted this free guidance to help tea and infusion product companies understand, navigate and mitigate liabilities related to California's Proposition 65 (the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986). Since July 2016, numerous companies that sell or manufacture tea and infusion products, primarily marketers of branded finished products, have been the subject of complaints alleging violation of California's Prop 65 for failure to provide the required warnings.