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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
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  AHPA attends U.S. Ginseng Summit

  May 14, 2025 After a multi-year hiatus, the U.S. Ginseng Summit returned on May 5-7, 2025, in Wausau, Wisconsin, bringing together stakeholders from across the ginseng industry. The event was hosted in collaboration with the Ginseng Board of Wisconsin and sponsored by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection and the Department of Natural Resources. The American Herbal Products Association's Jane Wilson, Director of Program Development, attended the event to represent AHPA members who have an interest in this prominent North American botanical.   Dave Schumacher and Jackie Fett of the Ginseng Board of Wisconsin presenting on Wisconsin cultivated ginseng challenges.   In addition to AHPA, representatives of eight states that allow harvest of wild ginseng and six universities – including researchers and extension experts from across the country – were in attendance. Other attendees included staff from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS), the Savanna Institute, the Menominee Tribal Conservation Department, and a variety of cultivated ginseng growers and forest farming specialists from multiple states.   Several sessions during the summit provided opportunities for states to share best practices and the challenges faced by licensing and enforcement programs for wild collection, and the importance of the cultivated ginseng industry to conservation efforts for wild populations. Research on the genetic diversity of ginseng and production of ginseng using organic practices was also presented. Other topics included the ongoing impact of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Appendix II controls on international trade for cultivated ginseng and current U.S. trade policies regarding tariffs with China, the major trade destination for American ginseng, both wild and cultivated.   Summit programming also included visits to two local cultivated ginseng operation – Kaiser Farms and AHPA member Hsu's Ginseng Farm – where attendees observed how cultivated ginseng is planted, harvested, processed, dried, and packaged for retail sale.   Harvested ginseng roots at Hsu's Ginseng.   Summit attendees standing along planting row at Kaiser Farms.   AHPA has maintained support for the wild-collected and cultivated ginseng industries for many years through its communication with staff of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, regular attendance at CITES Plants Committee meetings, and the AHPA Non-Timber Forest Products Sub-Committee. AHPA also maintains a set of good stewardship harvesting brochures for each state the allows for the collected of wild ginseng.

  • Wednesday, May 14, 2025
  • | Posted by AHPA
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  AHPA publishes tariff toolkit to support global trade compliance

  May 9, 2025   The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) has published a tariff toolkit for AHPA members, offering a collection of resources 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.   The tariff toolkit includes links to government websites, key regulatory references, and practical tools that can support members in managing customs classifications, identifying applicable tariffs, and responding to recent changes in U.S. trade policy.   “The global trade environment is complex and changing rapidly,” said Robert Marriott, AHPA Director of Regulatory Affairs. “We developed this resource to give our members a starting point for understanding and adapting to the shifting tariff landscape. While we plan to update the toolkit regularly, we also strongly encourage members to monitor official government channels for the most current information.”   AHPA will continue to track relevant developments and issue updates to the tariff toolkit as needed. For questions regarding tariffs, AHPA members are invited to contact Robert Marriott at rmarriott@ahpa.org. 

  • Friday, May 9, 2025
  • | Posted by AHPA