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  Nominations for the 2026 AHPA Awards now open

  November 10, 2025 The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) is pleased to invite members to nominate standout individuals and organizations in our community for the 2026 AHPA Awards. First presented in 2006, the 2026 AHPA Awards mark 20 years of recognizing individuals and organizations for making positive and substantive contributions to the herbal and natural products industry.   2026 AHPA Award Categories   AHPA Herbal Hero Award: Recognizes an individual who makes outstanding contributions to AHPA committees or initiatives. (Nominee must represent a current AHPA member company.)   AHPA Herbal Industry Leadership Award: Recognizes a company that sets an example of outstanding business practices or an organization that works to move the industry forward above and beyond normal business practices. (Nominee must be a current AHPA member company.)   AHPA Herbal Insight Award: Recognizes an individual or non-commercial organization that has a significant impact on furthering knowledge and understanding of botanicals and their uses. (Nominee does not need to be associated with a current AHPA member company, but this award is limited to individuals or non-commercial organizations only.)   AHPA Herbal Diversity & Inclusion Award: Recognizes an individual, organization, or company that demonstrates excellence in commitment to the values of diversity, inclusion and equality benefitting both the herbal products industry and broader society. (Nominee does not need to be associated with a current AHPA member company.)   AHPA Environmental Impact Award: Recognizes an individual, organization, or company that has implemented innovative sustainable or regenerative business practices that will continue to have a meaningful positive impact on the environment. (Nominee does not need to be associated with a current AHPA member company.)   Nominations must be submitted using the online nomination form by 11:59pm PT on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, to be considered. Please note the deadline will not be extended. After the nomination period closes, nominees will be reviewed by members of the AHPA Communications Committee, which represents a diverse group of industry stakeholders. The AHPA Communications Committee recommends recipients for each award category and presents these recommendations to the AHPA Board of Trustees for approval.   Winners will be notified in January 2026, and AHPA Awards will be presented at the AHPA Annual Member Meeting on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, CA.   More information about the awards, including a list of previous winners, is available here.

  • Monday, November 10, 2025
  • | Posted by AHPA
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  AHPA to launch working group on tinctures

  November 5, 2025 The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) is forming a new working group on tinctures. Tinctures are one of the most popular and time-honored form factors for consumers seeking to incorporate herbs and herbal ingredients into their personal health and wellness routines.   The new AHPA working group will serve as a dedicated forum for industry stakeholders to address technical, quality, and regulatory matters unique to the tincture category. By fostering a unified approach, AHPA aims to ensure the continued responsible commerce, appropriate regulatory classification, and consumer availability of herbal tinctures nationwide.   “Tinctures represent a fundamental and effective delivery system for many herbal ingredients, and they have been a staple of traditional and modern herbalism for centuries,” said Graham Rigby, AHPA President & CEO. “AHPA is committed to ensuring that the industry continues to maintain the highest standards of quality, safety, and accurate information regarding the production and labeling of these concentrated liquid extracts.”   “Supporting responsible commerce requires proactive engagement on issues that impact popular consumer product formats,” said Robert Marriott, J.D., AHPA VP of Regulatory & Government Affairs. “This working group provides a vital platform for AHPA members and other industry leaders to share expertise, align best practices, and work collaboratively to support the integrity and availability of herbal tinctures across the market.”   The AHPA Tincture Working Group will hold its first meeting virtually on Friday, November 14, at 10-11am PT / 1-2pm ET. Participation is open to AHPA members as well as other industry stakeholders with interest. Register to receive the Zoom meeting details.

  • Wednesday, November 5, 2025
  • | Posted by AHPA
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  AHPA Chief Science Officer receives Women In Nutraceuticals Guiding Star Award

  November 4, 2025 From left: WIN Awards Chair Petra Erlandson (Alkemist Labs); Holly E. Johnson, Ph.D. (AHPA); Emily Britton, Ph.D. (USP); and Amber Bennett (AHPA)   The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) is pleased to announce that Chief Science Officer Holly E. Johnson, Ph.D., was honored with the Guiding Star Award by Women In Nutraceuticals (WIN) at the awards ceremony during the WIN Gender Equity Networking Reception at SupplySide Global in Las Vegas last week. The WIN Guiding Star Award celebrates an extraordinary individual who has been instrumental in mentoring and elevating women within the nutraceuticals industry. Dr. Johnson, a recognized leader in herbal and analytical science, was selected for her dedication to fostering the next generation of female scientists and industry professionals. "I'm truly honored and humbled to receive the WIN Guiding Star Award," said Dr. Johnson. "Supporting, and learning from, the incredible women in our industry — like Dr. Emily Britton and so many others — has been one of the most meaningful parts of my career. Their passion and curiosity continually remind me why mentorship matters. As a woman in science who struggled coming up in a well-fortified boys club environment, it was natural for me to want to engage with younger women scientists and encourage broader inclusion of their voices in industry discourse. Thank you to WIN for acknowledging the value of women helping each other by creating this award.” The WIN Awards program is designed to celebrate the remarkable contributions and achievements of those who champion gender equity, drive research innovations, excel in mentorship within the nutraceutical sector, and demonstrate outstanding business acumen, pioneering vision, and a commitment to advancing women's leadership in the industry. Each award category has been designed to reflect the core mission of WIN: to empower women and foster an inclusive, supportive environment where their talents and contributions can thrive. In addition to Dr. Johnson, WIN Award recipients for 2025 include: WIN Champion: Heather Wainer, Publisher/Chief Business Officer, WholeFoods Magazine WIN Entrepreneur of the Year: Kristina Hall, President & Owner, True Grace WIN Research Pioneer: Abbie Smith-Ryan, Ph.D., Professor and Director of the Applied Physiology Laboratory, Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Women In Nutraceuticals is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization focused on unlocking the professional and personal potential of women. The organization is igniting a movement to build support for women across the nutraceutical supply chain to help increase the percentage of women holding leadership roles, funding for female-led businesses, and women's participation in research. All programs are guided by our core values. Connect with WIN on LinkedIn.

  • Tuesday, November 4, 2025
  • | Posted by AHPA
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  Vitality Works pledges $100K match to propel Michael McGuffin Endowment Fund toward $1 million goal

  October 28, 2025 The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) is thrilled to announce an extraordinary donation matching challenge from Mitch Coven, founder of Vitality Works and longtime AHPA member and trustee, in support of the recently launched Michael McGuffin Endowment Fund. Through the Vitality Works Endowment Fund, Coven has generously pledged to match all donations — up to a total of $100,000 — made to the Michael McGuffin Endowment Fund through March 31, 2026, helping advance the fund toward its goal of $1 million. The Michael McGuffin Endowment Fund was established to honor the legacy of herbal champion and longtime AHPA President, Michael McGuffin, and will provide lasting financial support for critical AHPA initiatives, including advocacy, education, and research benefiting the herbal products industry. The fund is operated and managed by the AHPA ERB Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by McGuffin in 1997 and dedicated to advancing botanical education and research.  “When the idea for the endowment fund first came to me, it was because I strongly felt Michael McGuffin's dedication to the herbal industry deserved a lasting, perpetual legacy,” said Coven. “I am proud to issue this $100,000 challenge to the herbal community, and I'm confident that, together, we can meet the $1 million target to ensure Michael's work continues for generations to come.” The Vitality Works matching challenge means that every dollar donated by individuals and companies now through March 31, 2026, will be doubled, significantly accelerating the fund's growth. AHPA is deeply grateful to the generous individuals and organizations who have already contributed to the fund — and is pleased to confirm that these early donations will also be honored by the Vitality Works match, maximizing the impact of every contribution. AHPA invites industry colleagues, friends, and all who have been inspired by Michael McGuffin's leadership and passion for the herbal community to take part in this remarkable opportunity. Your gift will not only be doubled but will also help secure a future where AHPA can continue to champion the responsible and sustainable growth of herbal products for years to come. All donors to the Michael McGuffin Endowment Fund will be recognized on the AHPA website as a permanent thank you for their support. In addition, any donor who contributes $1,000 or more before March 31, 2026, will be inducted into the Michael McGuffin Endowment Fund Founders' Circle — a special honor that acknowledges those who have made a timely and substantial commitment to preserving Michael's enduring legacy.   To recognize the generosity of all contributors, AHPA has established the following giving levels: Seedling Supporter: $1–$999 Root Protector: $1,000+ Branch Builder: $5,000+ Canopy Steward: $10,000+ Legacy Cultivator: $25,000+ Join us in celebrating Michael's legacy and shaping the future of the herbal industry. Donate today to double your impact and help us reach the $1 million goal!

  • Tuesday, October 28, 2025
  • | Posted by AHPA