American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) > News

Our Mission

The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) is the national trade association and voice of the herbal products industry. Founded in 1982, AHPA's mission is to promote the responsible and sustainable commerce of herbal products to ensure that consumers have informed access to a wide variety of safe herbal goods. AHPA’s Vision is for high quality herbal products to be readily accessible to and broadly used by consumers.

Our Expertise

AHPA has particular expertise on the history, science, and regulation of botanicals while its work also has significant influence on non-herbal dietary supplements. Similarly, AHPA expends its resources on issues in the U.S. marketplace and in the international arena, wherever member interests are served.

Our Members

AHPA is comprised of more than 350 domestic and international companies conducting business as growers, processors, manufacturers, and marketers of herbs and herbal products. AHPA members’ herbal products are in tea, beverage, dietary supplement, sports nutrition, personal care, pet and other product categories. AHPA membership also includes individuals, companies and organizations who serve the industry, including consultants, attorneys, media, researchers, educators, and medical professionals.

AHPA staff and members present at regulatory summit, USP, FDA-CFSAN and more

May 21, 2019: AHPA provides expertise in hemp-CBD, regulatory initiatives, pesticide residues, NDIs and food allergens

U.S. increases and proposes expansion of tariffs on Chinese imports

May 2019: China announces additional tariffs on any plant mainly used as a spice

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced on May 9 that it increased tariffs on approximately $200 billion worth of Chinese imports initially identified in September 2018 from 10 percent to 25 percent.

AHPA urges specificity in OEHHA review of scientific data on cannabis

May 8, 2019: Scientific review should be specific to route of consumption and part of the plant

In a letter to California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), AHPA strongly recommends that the office ensures that the Developmental and Reproductive Toxicant Identification Committee (DARTIC) sufficiently differentiates between the parts of the cannabis plant and the route of exposure when it reviews scientific literature to determine if certain cannabis articles should be listed under Proposition 65 as causing reproductive toxicity.

Proposition 65 definition of 'nickel (soluble compounds)' posted

OEHHA action may require warnings by Oct. 26, 2019

California's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) on May 2, 2019 posted a definition of “nickel (soluble compounds)” to clarify the scope of the agency’s listing last October of these compounds as chemicals known to the state to cause reproductive toxicity for purposes of Proposition 65.

AHPA ERB Foundation issues RFP for goldenseal sustainable harvest study

Proposal submission deadline is July 1, 2019

The AHPA Foundation for Education and Research on Botanicals (ERB Foundation) issued a request for proposals (RFP) to award grant funding to eligible applicants in order to enhance and promote knowledge and understanding of sustainable harvest of goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis).

AHPA adopts Guidance Policy on supplements and foods containing hemp and hemp-derived CBD

March 28, 2019: Supplements or foods that contain hemp or CBD should be manufactured in compliance with applicable federal regulations

The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) has adopted a new Guidance Policy for dietary supplement and food products that contain hemp and hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) to help ensure the industry complies with existing regulations.

AHPA participates in USP Botanical Dietary Supplements and Herbal Medicines Expert Committee Meetings

Updates from Food Ingredients Expert Committee, Cannabis Expert Panel, Probiotics Expert Panel, Nomenclature subcommittee

AHPA Chief Science Officer Holly E. Johnson, Ph.D., represented AHPA member interests at a meeting of the U.S. Pharmacopeial (USP) Convention's Botanical Dietary Supplements and Herbal Medicines Expert Committee held March 26-27.

Dyad Labs provides chromatography basics for cGMP compliance

Convened March 2019

AHPA partnered with Dyad Labs to present a two-day workshop on March 21-22 that provided 16 attendees with a basic understanding of chromatography and hands-on lab experience.

February-March 2019 AHPA Report: AHPA Awards, BOT Election, General Counsel Report to the Board

AHPA Members, Log in to access the AHPA Report

The February-March issue of the AHPA Report features updates and pictures from Expo West, legal and regulatory updates, recent AHPA news and advocacy and much more.

USDA Hemp Production Program Listening Session

March 15, 2019: A recording is now available

AHPA participated in the “2018 Farm Bill Listening Session on Domestic Hemp Production Program” conducted by the U.S.Department of Agriculture (USDA) on March 13, 2019. The event provided an opportunity for the agency to receive feedback directly from stakeholders regarding development of new regulations implementing the hemp provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill. The format allowed for registered participants to provide up to three minutes of public comment.

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