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  AHPA opposes Dietary Supplement Listing Act of 2026

  January 16, 2026 The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) announces its opposition to the latest iteration of Senator Dick Durbin's (D-IL) Dietary Supplement Listing Act, introduced by the retiring senator in the 119th Congress yesterday. The bill seeks to establish a mandatory product listing (MPL) requirement for dietary supplements marketed in the United States. Senator Durbin previously introduced similar MPL legislation in both the 117th and 118th Congresses to opposition from AHPA and other industry trade groups.   Advocates for MPL have not sufficiently articulated how this requirement would provide tangible benefits to consumers or meaningfully enhance FDA's existing authorities to enforce against marketers of drug-spiked products masquerading as dietary supplements. While not opposed to the concept of mandatory product listing in principle, AHPA does not support legislation that lacks provisions to clearly benefit public health or sufficiently accommodate small businesses. AHPA has long supported statutory amendments to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act that protect consumers without placing undue burdens on responsible manufacturers.   “AHPA remains committed to protecting public health and fostering a transparent, innovative dietary supplement industry,” said AHPA President & CEO Graham Rigby. “We will continue our direct engagement with FDA and Congress to develop meaningful, common-sense reforms that increase accountability and modernize our regulatory framework to meet the needs of today's dietary supplement marketplace and consumers.”

  • Friday, January 16, 2026
  • | Posted by AHPA
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  Legislation introduced to delay implementation of new hemp restrictions

  January 14, 2026 Yesterday, Congressman Jim Baird (R-IN) introduced the Hemp Planting Predictability Act, legislation that would provide a two-year extension on the implementation of restrictive hemp provisions included in the FY2026 Agriculture Appropriations bill enacted in November 2025. The provisions, which redefine hemp and impose strict new limits on THC content, are currently scheduled to take effect on November 12, 2026. If enacted, the Hemp Planting Predictability Act would extend the implementation date by two years, giving farmers, processors, and retailers the necessary time to adjust to the new regulatory landscape while allowing the industry to work with lawmakers to establish a permanent, science-based regulatory framework for hemp-derived products. The bill was introduced with bipartisan support, with co-sponsors including House Oversight and Accountability Chair James Comer (R-KY), House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig (D-MN), Congressman Tim Moore (R-NC), and Congressman Gabe Evans (R-CO). “We support Congressman Baird's efforts to extend the implementation of new hemp restrictions as we lead collaborative efforts by industry to develop a regulatory framework that supports responsible commerce and protects consumer access to hemp products,” said American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) President & CEO Graham Rigby. “This extension would prove a vital step in assuring farmers that they will have a market this year as they make planting decisions and allow continued consumer access to hemp products while a robust framework is finalized through Congress.” AHPA invites members and the wider industry interested in supporting these efforts to join the AHPA Cannabis Committee, through which AHPA coordinates legislative engagement and advocacy for the long-term viability of the hemp and CBD markets.

  • Wednesday, January 14, 2026
  • | Posted by AHPA
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  Prominent role for herbs, supplements in new Dietary Guidelines

  January 12, 2026 The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Department of Agriculture (USDA) have issued the much-anticipated 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. In a major departure from previous editions, the guidelines have been shortened by more than 90% and streamlined to provide broad information intended to be directly accessible to American consumers. Notwithstanding this simplification, the new guidelines prominently mention the use of herbs as a flavor enhancer for proteins, fruits, and vegetables, and recognize that members of many special populations may need dietary supplements to meet their nutritional needs. "We're thrilled that the guidelines acknowledge the vital role of herbs and dietary supplements in a healthy diet," said Graham Rigby, President & CEO of the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA). "AHPA will continue its outreach to ensure herbs and herbal products are recognized and appreciated for the benefits they bring to all Americans."

  • Monday, January 12, 2026
  • | Posted by AHPA
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  Court decision informs strategic tariff litigation decision making

  January 5, 2026 In a prior update, the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) informed members of a legal option available to the trade to address one form of uncertainty regarding the scope of available relief should the administration's IEEPA tariffs be found unlawful. Specifically, this option entailed litigation seeking to enjoin U.S. Customs & Border Protection from completing liquidation of entered lots to mitigate the potential for the government to deny tariff refunds. This update reports on further developments that may inform the decision making of companies considering this option.   AHPA wishes to further inform members of a recent opinion of the United States Court of International Trade (USCIT) that denied a motion for a preliminary injunction pursuant to a similar legal action. In this decision, the court found that the government had taken the "unequivocal position" that "liquidation will not affect the availability of refunds after a final decision" regarding the legality of tariffs. In the cited response from the government, the administration asserted it "will not oppose or object to the [c]ourt's authority to order reliquidation" and that "[s]uch reliquidation would result in a refund of all duties determined to be unlawfully assessed, with interest." This ruling arguably obviates the need for importers to pursue the legal option that was the subject of the prior update. However, significant uncertainties remain regarding the ultimate disposition and potential refunding of IEEPA tariffs; for example, the USCIT is not the final determinative court regarding the scope of applicable refund relief, and the Supreme Court may make a different decision regarding the scope of applicable refunds. As previously stated, this update does not constitute an endorsement of any particular legal action regarding the disposition of IEEPA tariffs. AHPA members should consult their own legal counsel regarding the impacts of this decision on their particular circumstances.

  • Monday, January 5, 2026
  • | Posted by AHPA