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  IADSA Newsflash for October 2024

  October 9, 2024 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:   Japan has introduced new regulations for marketers of foods with functional claims as part of the response to the red yeast rice incident.  The European Commission (EC) has requested input from Member States following the recent report from the Heads of Food Agencies that identified several priority substances for assessment under Article 8 procedures. The European Union's Novel Food Catalogue no longer lists astragalus root extracts as novel foods. The EC is moving forward with plans to prohibit the remaining hydroxyanthracene derivative (HAD) containing botanicals under Article 8, including Rhamnus frangula L. and Rhamnus purshiana DC.(bark), Cassia senna L. (leaf or fruit), Rheum palmatum L., Rheum officinale Baillon, and their hybrids (root or rhizome). These botanicals were placed under scrutiny in 2021. A French member of the European Parliament has called for stricter oversight of imported food supplements containing banned substances following an assessment of adverse event reports. This also includes ANSES providing a warning to Olympic athletes regarding the potential doping risks associated with supplements. EFSA has published the minutes of a meeting of its Botanicals Working Group on Toxicity Characterization.  The Czech Republic, Estonia, Mexico, Ukraine, and Brazil have announced some updates to their supplement regulations. France has launched a notification platform to provide information to consumers purchasing supplements. The German food safety agency has issued safety concerns for cannabinoid oils, ashwagandha supplements, and melatonin products. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland has issued a report addressing probiotic safety. Turkey has added to its positive list for botanicals. The UK's Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products, and the Environment (COT) has concluded that the current dietary exposure levels of titanium dioxide, commonly used as a food additive, are unlikely to pose a significant health risk to the UK population. UK's Food Standards Agency has issued guidance on the use of food supplements containing caffeine. Brazil also has recently re-affirmed the safety of titanium dioxide. Belarus has lifted its ban on distance selling of supplement products.   AHPA membership and login required.

  • Wednesday, October 9, 2024
  • | Posted by AHPA
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  AHPA ERB Foundation supports launch of updated Southwest School of Botanical Medicine website

  October 9, 2024     SWSBM.org is one of several projects currently supported by AHPA ERB Foundation funding thanks to the generous support of donors   The American Herbal Products Association Foundation for Education and Research on Botanicals (AHPA ERB Foundation) is pleased to have provided grant funding to support the recent launch of the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine's (SWSBM's) updated website: SWSBM.org. This free online platform has long been a popular and comprehensive resource for botanical medicine enthusiasts, researchers, ethnobotanists, and herbal practitioners worldwide.   SWSBM.org has undergone a complete revitalization to enhance user experience and provide easy and free access to a wealth of valuable information collected over three decades by the late founder, author, and legendary bioregional herbalist and ethnobotanist Michael Moore, who is broadly considered “the godfather of western botanical medicine.” A key highlight of the newly redesigned website is its extensive database of herbal remedies and plant profiles. Visitors can now also access a wide range of online courses, webinars, videos, lectures, and workshops conducted by Michael Moore.   “We are excited to unveil the new SWSBM.org website, which represents a significant milestone in our mission to promote the understanding and practice of botanical medicine,” said Greta de la Montagne, Executive Director of SWSBM. “With its user-friendly design and extensive resources, we aim to continue Michael RS Moore's vision to empower individuals and communities with the knowledge and tools they need to embrace herbal remedies and lead healthier, more resilient lives.”   “The launch of the new SWSBM.org website marks a new chapter in SWSBM's commitment to advancing scientific study in the field of herbal medicine and would not have been possible without support by a grant from the American Herbal Products Association's Foundation for Education and Research on Botanicals,” added de la Montagne.   AHPA established the AHPA ERB Foundation as a 501(c)(3) foundation to promote education and research on medicinal, therapeutic, and health-promoting herbs. In addition to SWSBM.org, current projects supported by AHPA ERB Foundation funding include research on oshá and goldenseal, as well as an educational series on Herbs in History.   Support Botanical Research   Individuals and organizations interested in supporting botanical research are invited to make tax-deductible donations to the AHPA ERB Foundation generally or in support of a specific project by visiting AHPA.org/AHPA_ERB_Foundation. Donations in any amount are welcome and greatly appreciated.   The AHPA ERB Foundation thanks the following donors who have generously supported the important work of the foundation and each project team:   AHPA ERB Foundation Donors: AHPA, Aveda, Celestial Seasonings, Gaia Herbs, Herbalife, Herbalist & Alchemist, Herb Pharm, Herbs, Etc., Jackie Greenfield, Mountain Rose Herbs, Vitality Works, WishGarden Herbs Oshá Sustainability Donors: American Botanicals, Gaia Herbs, Mountain Rose Herbs, Vitality Works Goldenseal Harvest Study Donors: Aveda, Duncan's Botanical Products, Inc., Gaia Herbs, Herbalist & Alchemist, Herb Pharm, Horst Mueggenburg Foundation, Mountain Rose Herbs, Mueggenburg USA, Native Botanicals, Inc., Ohio River Ginseng, The Vitamin Shoppe, Vitality Works, Yellow Emperor  

  • Wednesday, October 9, 2024
  • | Posted by AHPA
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  Join us in support of those impacted by Hurricane Helene

  October 7, 2024 Our hearts and thoughts are with the communities that have been devastated by Hurricane Helene. The communities and forests of southern Appalachia are deeply and historically connected with the botanical industry, and we stand in support of the enormous number of people who have been catastrophically affected. Many are still isolated and in dire need of life-sustaining supplies and medical attention and we ask our members and network to consider contributing to the relief and recovery efforts taking place. The list below includes donation information for organizations who are providing front-line critical care and support to the communities that were most impacted by the destruction and devastation brought by Hurricane Helene. With heartfelt wishes for the safety and recovery of the affected families and communities, The AHPA Team American Red Cross Hurricane Helene Relief Salvation Army Hurricane Helene Relief United Way Hurricane Helene Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund Operation Airdrop Hurricane Helene Airlift Relief (donations needed in increments of $100 for fuel purchase to deliver emergency supplies via aircraft) International Medical Corps Hurricane Helene Relief Baby2Baby Save the Children Mercy Chefs World Central Kitchen Manna Food Bank BeLoved Asheville All Hands and Hearts Humane Society of the US Hurricane Helene Response GoFundMe verified Hurricane Helene relief fundraisers

  • Monday, October 7, 2024
  • | Posted by AHPA
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  Senator Wyden introduces Cannabinoid Safety and Regulation Act

  September 25, 2024 Today, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) introduced legislation that would create a federal regulatory framework for “cannabinoid products” that contain or are derived from hemp as defined in the 2018 Farm Bill. This bill – titled the Cannabinoid Safety and Regulation Act (CSRA) – would establish a regulatory structure for cannabinoid products that contain cannabinoids found naturally in hemp as well as those considered “semi-synthetic” as defined in the legislation. Artificial or fully synthetic cannabinoids would be prohibited in cannabinoid products under the proposed legislation.   The bill requires the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to establish a new Center for Cannabinoid Products to carry out the directives and create the regulatory framework for these products consistent with the provisions of the bill. The extensive provisions of the bill include, among other things, facility registration requirements, a product identification system, sales and distribution restrictions, testing requirements, product standards, and criteria for determining when cannabinoid products qualify adulterated or misbranded.    “AHPA is encouraged by Senator Wyden's long-established and continued attention to the hemp industry and appreciates the introduction of this legislation in light of FDA's ongoing refusal to conduct rulemaking to permit the sale of CBD or THC containing conventional foods or dietary supplements. Over the last several months, we have been in active communication with Senator Wyden's office on the provisions of the bill and will be consulting with our membership regarding its contents. The reasonable federal regulation of hemp derived cannabinoid products is long overdue given the proliferation of inconsistent state laws that currently apply to these products,” said AHPA President Michael McGuffin.   “Specific to dietary supplements, we are very pleased Senator Wyden included language in the CSRA that would give FDA the authority to remove from the market dangerous and illegal drugs that masquerade as dietary supplements, such as tianeptine tablets and liquids, while protecting the existing balance struck by the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994. The CSRA's ‘Prohibited Act' provision refines overly broad language that was introduced in Congress earlier this year,” McGuffin concluded.

  • Wednesday, September 25, 2024
  • | Posted by AHPA