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  AHPA Chief Science Officer attends USP Convention

  May 30, 2025 Since 1820, the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) has advanced public health through quality standards. As the global health landscape evolves, USP continues to lead with science – thanks in part to the contributions of its Convention Members and expert volunteers. The 2025 USP Convention Meeting was held May 5-8 in North Bethesda, Maryland, and the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) was represented at the meeting by Chief Science Officer Holly E. Johnson, Ph.D.   Dr. Johnson serves as a voting delegate and contributes her expertise on the Expert Committee on Botanical Dietary Supplements and Herbal Medicines. This committee plays a key role in developing and revising monographs and reference materials for botanical dietary supplements and herbal medicine ingredients.   During the 2025 USP Convention, Robin Marles, Ph.D., was recognized with the prestigious USP Jacob Bigelow Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Standards by a USP Expert Volunteer. The award honors exceptional dedication to USP's standards-setting process and is named in tribute to Jacob Bigelow, M.D., a founding figure in U.S. pharmacopeial history.   Dr. Marles served as Chair of the Botanical Dietary Supplements and Herbal Medicines Expert Committee for a decade. Succeeding Dr. Marles in this role is Thomas Brendler, Ph.D., Founder & Principal of AHPA member company Plantaphile, who was elected as the new Chair of this influential committee. USP also announced its newly elected Council of Experts and Board of Trustees for the 2025-2030 cycle.   AHPA congratulates all those elected and honored and looks forward to continued collaboration in advancing botanical quality standards.   AHPA Chief Science Officer Holly E. Johnson, Ph.D., with USP Chief Executive Officer Ronald T. Piervincenzi, Ph.D.    Robin Marles, Ph.D., accepting the USP Jacob Bigelow Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Standards by a USP Expert Volunteer, pictured with USP CEO Ronald T. Piervincenzi, Ph.D., and USP Chief Science Officer Jaap Venema, Ph.D.   AHPA Chief Science Officer Holly E. Johnson, Ph.D., with USP staff and Expert Volunteers, including Thomas Brendler, Ph.D., Founder & Principal of AHPA member company Plantaphile and newly elected Chair of the Expert Committee on Botanical Dietary Supplements and Herbal Medicines (far right).

  • Friday, May 30, 2025
  • | Posted by AHPA
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  IADSA Newsflash for May 2025

  May 22, 2025 AHPA is an active member of IADSA, an association focused on the globalization of food supplement markets and regulatory challenges. AHPA distributes the IADSA Newsflash This issue covers:   Indonesia's 2025 regulatory agenda for supplements includes changes to labeling, post-market controls, and new guidelines on stability testing. The Philippines has aligned its approach to vitamin and mineral maximum limits with the ASEAN guidelines. The European Union has eased import rules for some low-risk composite products, such as some types of gelatin capsules. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is expected to release a scientific opinion on fennel that could lead to the use of fennel being banned in supplement products, due to the presence of estragole and some structurally similar compounds. The European Commission Article 8 working group is likely to propose bans on green tea catechins and monacolins from red yeast rice, and will likely place alpha lipoic acid (ALA) under scrutiny. The Spanish Agency for Food Safety has recognized the botanicals Silene vulgaris, Sonchus oleraceus, and Scolymus hispanicus as having a history of safe consumption and can be used in food supplements. EFSA has released an update to its database Compendium of Botanicals to support hazard identification in areas such as food supplements. The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety has flagged cannabidiol (CBD) as a potential reproductive toxicant based on review of animal studies. Sweden has deferred to an upcoming EU assessment of ashwagandha safety, in lieu of taking their own actions based on a Danish safety assessment. The United Kingdom has moved ahead with a limit of 10 mg/day for CBD products, with cautions for use during pregnancy, etc. Ukraine has aligned its food supplement regulations with the EU's regulatory framework. Costa Rica has announced a review of synthetic food dyes, following recent regulatory attention to such dyes in the U.S. The Dominican Republic has issued its first ever proposed framework for regulation of food supplement products. Australia has reaffirmed its prohibition on nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) and related compounds in food supplements, although products may be produced for “export only” purposes.   AHPA membership and login required.

  • Thursday, May 22, 2025
  • | Posted by AHPA
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  AHPA publishes herbal advocacy leave-behind

  May 21, 2025 The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) has published an herbal advocacy leave-behind to support the development of trade policies that protect access to essential herbs that cannot be grown domestically at the commercial scale necessary to meet consumer and industry demand.   Intended to inform policymakers, the document highlights the potential consequences of tariffs on key botanicals – including, but not limited to, cinnamon, turmeric, and ashwagandha – that are widely used in dietary supplements, conventional foods, and personal care products. Existing and proposed tariffs on these imported herbs may lead to higher prices, supply chain disruptions, and diminished global competitiveness for American companies.   “Millions of Americans rely on herbs to support their health and wellness,” said Graham Rigby, AHPA President & CEO. “It's critical that our trade policies reflect the realities of the herbal supply chain and ensure that U.S. companies are not penalized for importing ingredients for which there is no potential for domestic supply.”   AHPA has been actively engaging with policymakers on Capitol Hill and throughout Washington, D.C., to voice member concerns on tariffs, advocate for relief from regulatory and trade challenges, and safeguard the critical role that dietary supplements and natural products play in supporting public health. AHPA invites members and industry stakeholders to utilize the leave-behind in their own advocacy efforts as well.   This new resource accompanies the recent publication of AHPA's tariff toolkit, designed to help companies in the dietary supplement and herbal product industries stay informed and compliant as they navigate the evolving landscape of international trade and tariffs. Together, these materials underscore AHPA's commitment to advocating for policies that promote industry growth while safeguarding consumer access to herbal products.

  • Wednesday, May 21, 2025
  • | Posted by AHPA
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  AHPA launches member webinar library

  May 21, 2025 The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) is pleased to announce the launch of the AHPA Member Webinar Library, a new digital resource that provides members with on-demand access to educational webinars presented by AHPA in recent years and up through the present.   AHPA webinars cover a broad range of topics relevant to the dietary supplement and natural product industries — including regulatory updates, legal and compliance issues, quality and manufacturing practices, sustainable sourcing, scientific research, and more.   This new member resource reflects AHPA's continued commitment to education and industry advancement, and makes it easier than ever for members to access expert knowledge at their convenience.   Webinars are now included as a benefit of AHPA membership. Register for AHPA's upcoming Midyear Regulatory Update webinar on June 17 to join us live or stay tuned for access to the on-demand recording following the event.

  • Wednesday, May 21, 2025
  • | Posted by AHPA