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Archive October 2026

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AHPA, CRN, CHPA and UNPA Urge NIH to Preserve Independence of Office of Dietary Supplements

October 26, 2026


Joint comments warn proposed reorganization could weaken scientific research, add bureaucracy and diminish an office Congress established to advance understanding of dietary supplements

Four leading dietary supplement trade organizations are collectively urging the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to reconsider a proposed reorganization that would place the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) under the Office of Nutrition Research (ONR), warning that the change could undermine ODS's distinct congressional mandate, diminish its scientific reach, and create unnecessary bureaucratic barriers to advancing the science for dietary supplements.

In joint comments submitted to NIH, the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA), Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA), Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), and United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA) called for retaining ODS as a stand-alone office within NIH's Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives (DPCPSI), while pursuing stronger collaboration with ONR.

The organizations emphasized that cooperation between the two offices is both desirable and achievable without reducing ODS's organizational standing or independence. The joint comments also connect the importance of sustained supplement research to the Administration's Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) priorities, which recognize the health benefits of select high-quality supplements as an area warranting scientific investigation.

Congress established ODS under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA) to advance scientific understanding of dietary supplements and their contributions to health. Its responsibilities also include serving as a principal advisor to senior federal health officials on dietary supplement issues.

The associations expressed concern that placing ODS within ONR could narrow attention to the full range of scientific questions involving dietary supplements, particularly research involving botanicals, probiotics and other bioactive substances whose effects extend beyond conventional nutrient functions.

They also emphasized the importance of protecting ODS's specialized scientific infrastructure, funding, and staffing to effectively fulfill its statutory mandate.

The associations identified three central concerns with the proposed reorganization:

  • Preserving ODS's congressional mandate. ODS was established to provide dedicated scientific leadership and advice on dietary supplements across the federal government. Adding another organizational layer could complicate those responsibilities and diminish its direct access to NIH leadership.

  • Protecting the full breadth of supplement science. Research involving dietary supplements encompasses far more than nutritional deficiencies, including the biological effects of botanical ingredients and other substances, product quality, safety, efficacy and interactions with medications.

  • Maintaining resources, accountability and scientific independence. The proposed restructuring raises unanswered questions about ODS's leadership authority, staffing, funding, research priorities and ability to coordinate scientific initiatives across NIH.

Should NIH proceed with the proposed reorganization, the organizations urged the agency to first publish a detailed implementation plan for public comment that establishes clear safeguards for ODS's statutory mission, leadership authority, scientific priorities, funding, staffing, advisory responsibilities and public-facing resources. They also recommended a formal evaluation of the restructuring's effects within two years.

The four associations concluded that strengthening collaboration—not diminishing ODS's standing—offers the most effective path forward.

The full joint comments are available here.

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About the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA)
Founded in 1982, the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) is the national trade association and voice of the herbal products industry, representing growers, processors, manufacturers, and marketers of herbs and herbal products — including foods, dietary supplements, cosmetics, and non-prescription drugs — as well as companies providing expert services to the trade. AHPA champions the responsible and sustainable commerce of safe, high-quality herbal goods to ensure informed consumer access. Learn more at ahpa.org.

About the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA)
The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA), founded in 1881, is the national trade association representing the leading manufacturers and marketers of consumer healthcare products, including over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, dietary supplements, and OTC medical devices. CHPA is committed to empowering self-care by ensuring that Americans have access to products they can count on to be reliable, affordable, and convenient, while also delivering new and better ways to get and stay healthy. Visit www.chpa.org.

About the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN)
The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), founded in 1973 and based in Washington, D.C., is the leading trade association representing the dietary supplement and functional food industry. Bringing together manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, and service providers, CRN unites its member companies around a shared commitment to science, transparency, and responsible business practices—advancing a strong, credible marketplace that supports consumer health and industry growth.

In an increasingly complex regulatory and media environment, CRN serves as the industry’s front line—shaping science-based policy, defending market access, and countering misinformation. Through strategic advocacy, self-regulatory leadership, voluntary guidelines, and evidence-based communications, CRN ensures that responsible companies are recognized, protected, and positioned to innovate and compete. Learn more at crnusa.org and follow @CRN_Supplements on X and LinkedIn.

About the United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA)
The United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA) is a premier trade association dedicated to advancing global natural health products. With a commitment to quality, science, and innovation, UNPA collaborates with industry leaders, government agencies, and stakeholders to promote responsible business practices and advocate for standards that ensure consumer safety, access to reliable health information and trained health practitioners.
Through education, research, and advocacy, UNPA along with its members and partners foster industry excellence and leadership that drive growth and integrity in the natural health products community. UNPA serves as a unifying voice, to honor the dietary supplement industry’s history, advance the science and protect the health freedom of our consumers. For more information, visit www.unpa.com.

Applications now open for inaugural Michael McGuffin Endowment awards

October 20, 2026
 


The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) is pleased to announce that applications for the inaugural cycle of Michael McGuffin Endowment points-based awards officially open today, October 20, 2026.

The Michael McGuffin Endowment Fund was established to honor the legacy of herbal champion and longtime AHPA President Michael McGuffin and 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 Foundation for Education and Research on Botanicals (AHPA ERB Foundation), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by McGuffin in 1997 and dedicated to advancing botanical education and research.

Administered by the AHPA ERB Foundation, Michael McGuffin Endowment points-based awards provide financial support and opportunities for individuals, companies, and organizations working in, advocating for, or otherwise benefiting the herbal products industry. This launch marks the first of multiple award cycles that will be held periodically. Applications are evaluated using a structured points system based on project impact, feasibility, alignment with the Endowment's mission, and demonstrated need. For this initial points-based award cycle, it is estimated that one or more awards up to a total of $5,000 will be distributed. The AHPA ERB Foundation anticipates the availability of larger awards as the Endowment program matures.

Funding is directed toward individuals, small businesses, growers, wild harvesters, manufacturers, researchers, educators, and emerging leaders who demonstrate financial need and a commitment to the botanical community. Eligible proposals and submissions should focus on projects that align with the Endowment’s mission to support the future and long-term viability of the herbal community — including, but not limited to:

  • Research or documentation projects

  • Supply chain sustainability initiatives

  • Regulatory or quality work

  • Mentorship or training

AHPA membership is not a requirement to apply. Applications for this cycle will be accepted through November 20, 2026.

AHPA and the AHPA ERB Foundation extend our thanks to those who have contributed to the Michael McGuffin Endowment Fund, and we invite those who wish to honor Michael's legacy and help provide opportunities for future generations of herbal advocates to make a tax-deductible donation to the fund at any time.

FDA releases Identity & Safety section of NDIN guidance

October 19, 2026

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released a final guidance addressing the role of identity and safety information requirements in new dietary ingredient notifications (NDINs).

This publication finalizes Section VI of the overarching FDA NDIN draft guidance, continuing a piecemeal approach the agency has used since issuing its last omnibus revision in 2016. AHPA submitted extensive comments to the 2016 draft guidance, including regarding several elements of Section VI. As it is focused on the elements required in an NDIN and not the circumstances giving rise to the overall NDIN requirement, this publication does not address underlying questions concerning the scope of “chemical alteration" which are a focus of material in Section IV and have yet to be finalized.

AHPA staff are reviewing changes made in the final guidance and will communicate their findings to the broader membership. The contents of this final guidance section will be the subject of discussion at the upcoming AHPA Government Relations Committee meeting on Tuesday, October 27, being held in-person at SupplySide Global and virtually on Zoom. AHPA members interested in the ramifications of the final guidance and discussion of the potential comments and further advocacy on its subjects are encouraged to attend.

AHPA releases latest tonnage survey of botanicals produced in North America

October 19, 2026

The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) has published its latest Tonnage Surveys of Select Botanicals Produced in North America, providing critical data on the production and harvest trends of key botanicals from 2024–2025.

Since 1997, AHPA has conducted these surveys to quantify the harvest of specific North American botanical raw materials, offering valuable insight into industry trends, sustainability, and market dynamics. Plant species for the survey were initially selected for inclusion based on their use in herbal products and their status as North American native species known to be wild harvested for at least some part of their market. In 2021–2023, the survey was expanded to include additional botanical species that are predominantly non-North American native herbs known to be commercially cultivated in the U.S.

The most recent survey includes data collected from respondents reporting on a total of 126 botanical commodities representing 113 different plant species, with a focus on wild-harvested and cultivated materials. This edition also introduces new questions about survey respondent experiences, providing a baseline for understanding production costs, changing demand, supply chain challenges, and strategies to strengthen supply resilience. Additional analysis examines overall reported cultivated versus wild-harvested production, while expanded coverage of American ginseng provides further insight into this important North American botanical commodity.

“We are deeply grateful for the continued contributions of our survey respondents over the years,” said Holly Chittum, AHPA Project Scientist. “Their ongoing commitment, along with our dedication to rigorous best practices in data collection, analysis, and reporting, ensures this survey remains a trusted and invaluable resource for understanding U.S. botanical consumption trends.”

Chittum prepared the tonnage survey, with editorial contributions from Holly E. Johnson, AHPA Chief Science Officer; Steven Dentali, AHPA ERB Foundation Board Member; Edward Fletcher, AHPA Botanical Raw Materials Committee Co-Chair; and members of the AHPA Non-Timber Forest Products Subcommittee.

Key findings from the 2024–2025 survey include:

  • Cultivated production accounted for 76% of total reported botanical tonnage in 2025, while many North American native botanicals remained predominantly wild harvested.

  • Highest-volume cultivated materials included peppermint, spearmint, and catnip aerial parts; dandelion, American ginseng, and marshmallow roots; and nettle leaf.

  • Highest-volume wild-harvested materials included cascara sagrada bark, slippery elm bark, black cohosh root, black cherry bark, Oregon grape root, and black walnut hulls.

  • New survey questions highlighted rising production costs, particularly labor, changing demand for domestically sourced botanicals, and the importance of infrastructure investment for supply resilience and industry growth.

AHPA’s ongoing commitment to tracking botanical production supports the industry’s sustainability efforts and provides a key snapshot of raw materials trade that serves as a valuable dataset for research, informs best practices for responsible sourcing, and provides vital insight to stakeholders and decision makers. The latest tonnage survey and all previous surveys are available on the AHPA website.

For questions or more information about AHPA's tonnage surveys, please contact Holly Chittum at hchittum@ahpa.org.

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