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

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    AHPA welcomes the agency's shift to a section-by-section based approach to finalizing NDIN guidance March 6, 2024 Yesterday, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) announced the release of a final guidance titled “Dietary Supplements: New Dietary Ingredient Notification Procedures and Timeframes: Guidance for Industry.” Intended to help dietary supplement manufacturers and distributors prepare and submit new dietary ingredient notifications (NDINs), the guidance finalizes Section V (“NDI Notification Procedures and Timeframes”) of the 2016 revised draft guidance.   Using a Q&A format to provide information about the NDIN submission and review process, the guidance addresses topics such as: Who needs to submit an NDIN? How should the information be organized and presented? Where should an NDIN be submitted? What happens after an NDIN is submitted? The Constituent Update from the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) announcing the final guidance confirmed that the “approach of separating the 2016 revised draft guidance into discrete sections for ease of use is responsive to comments received on the draft guidance.” This shift to finalizing guidance by section is a practical approach that the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) has long thought FDA should take.  “AHPA is pleased to see FDA finalize the section on ‘Notification Procedures and Timeframes' of the agency's guidance to industry on NDINs. This action is consistent with a suggestion AHPA made during an in-person meeting at FDA's office in 2012, specifically suggesting that FDA address the issue of NDIN guidance with a section-by-section based approach. We were told by FDA leadership at that time that such an approach would ‘be confusing,'” explained AHPA President Michael McGuffin. “However, the final guidance issued today – though still subject to detailed internal and member review – appears to be clarifying rather than confusing. We look forward to FDA's issuance of additional clarifying sections of guidance on this important regulatory matter.”

    • Wednesday, March 6, 2024
    • | Posted by AHPA
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    February 29, 2024   To kick off the American Spice Trade Association (ASTA) 2024 Annual Meeting & Exhibits, American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) Director of Regulatory Affairs Robert Marriott is pleased to be speaking at the symposium on “Navigating Lack of Harmonization of Pesticide MRLs for Spices” on Tuesday, April 16. AHPA engages with ASTA in support of ensuring consumer access to safe, high quality herbal products, including spices.   About the Event Join ASTA for an unforgettable experience at the 2024 Annual Meeting & Exhibits in Tucson, Arizona, from April 16-18. Experience the perfect blend of education and networking at the premier annual industry event, where you will immerse yourself in important topics—from insightful crop reports to sustainability, food safety, regulatory challenges, and more. Immerse yourself in the vibrant tapestry of Tucson's Southwest setting while creating lasting connections with trade colleagues and friends. Don't miss out! Register online and claim your spot by April 11! Learn more about registration options & prepare to dive into hot topics, learn from leading experts, and build your connections within the global spice industry.     

    • Thursday, February 29, 2024
    • | Posted by AHPA
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    February 22, 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. This month we cover the rich histories of oregano and onion. Both are staples in the Mediterranean diet and have been featured in world literature through the centuries. So many species for the former and so many stories for the latter...including an intriguing weather forecast technique! Preview the entries below and visit Herbs in History online to read more. Oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) More than Pizza In present-day culinary and alimentary life, oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) is almost a synonym of pizza or warm focaccias garnished with small leaves of oregano, when it does not evoke Greece, a piece of feta sprinkled with ground oregano leaves and sprayed with olive oil, a few olives and a piece of bread, with a glass of wine. Though suggestive of health benefits, this gustatory and olfactory evocation sharply reduces the merits of oregano, which, in the past, were by no means limited to a pleasant meal. Its history is contradictory, however, with both a clear therapeutic profile early affirmed in history and a subsequent disappearance from the pharmacopoietic arsenal. | Read more...   Onion (Allium cepa L.) Layers of Stories Though not a medicinal plant strictly speaking, onion (Allium cepa L.) greatly benefits human health. Current literature concords in crediting it with a many properties: anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, diuretic, anthelmintic, expectorant, febrifuge, hypoglycemic, hypotensive, lithotripic, stomachic, and tonic. It is no surprise that it is abundantly used in alimentation, raw or cooked, boiled or baked, braised or grilled, pickled or caramelized, entire or finely chopped, in salad or soups, in stews and sandwiches, in combination with other vegetables and foodstuffs or by itself. Its history is as varied as its actions, uses and layers, with tears and weather prediction, omnipresence and local productions, facts and beliefs. | 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.

    • Thursday, February 22, 2024
    • | Posted by AHPA
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    February 12, 2024 The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) is pleased to announce the candidates for the 2023 AHPA Board of Trustees election at the upcoming AHPA Annual Member Meeting on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at Expo West. 2024 AHPA Board of Trustees Candidates Nate Brennan (Pacific Botanicals) Staci Eisner (Cortex Scientific Botanicals) Mark Jost (Gemini Pharmaceuticals) Ellen Kamhi (Bio-Botanica) Billie Rezarch (Maty's Healthy Products) Erin Smith (Banyan Botanicals) Greg Sommerville (Frontier Co-op) Kristina Tucker (The Republic of Tea) Adel Villalobos (Lief Labs) Sindy Wise (WishGarden Herbs)   Read Candidate Statements here: 2024 AHPA Board of Trustees - Candidate Statements AHPA Active Members in good standing are eligible to vote in this election and will receive voting instructions in separate communications. If you have any questions about the election or need assistance with voting, please contact Daniela Gonzalez at dgonzalez@ahpa.org. 

    • Monday, February 12, 2024
    • | Posted by AHPA
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