SILVER SPRING, Md. (December 21, 2015)--The five trade associations representing the dietary supplement industry today welcomed the elevation of the Division of Dietary Supplement Programs (DDSP) to an "Office" status within the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN). The groups-the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA), the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA), the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), the Natural Products Association (NPA), and the United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA)-also congratulated the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), FDA, and Congress for supporting this reorganization, which will enhance the effectiveness of dietary supplement regulation.
There has been considerable industry growth since DDSP was established in 1994, and with this growth, new regulatory challenges within the industry have presented themselves. The five associations have been consistent and longstanding in their joining together to urge FDA to take stronger enforcement action against companies illegally manufacturing and selling adulterated products. In a letter of support to Congress sent earlier this month, the associations expressed belief that the elevation of DDSP to an "Office" could help "increase FDA's abilities to take more aggressive enforcement action." Additionally, the groups anticipate that the elevation could "raise the visibility and attention for dietary supplement safety and compliance measures at FDA," as well as "better utilize CFSAN's enforcement resources."
Overall, the industry views the elevation of DDSP not only as a demonstration of the government's commitment to eliminating the illegal activity and leveling the playing field for the responsible companies already following the law, but also as an important step for increasing consumer safety by cracking down on rogue manufacturers who sell illegal products. As stated in an earlier joint letter to HHS, "Such a move would aid in accomplishing FDA's current and long-range goals related to dietary supplements."
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The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) is the national trade association and voice of the herbal and botanical products industry. AHPA is comprised of more than 300 domestic and foreign companies doing business as growers, processors, manufacturers, and marketers of herbs and herbal products, including foods, dietary supplements, cosmetics, and non-prescription drugs. Founded in 1982, AHPA's mission is to promote the responsible commerce of herbal products. Website: www.ahpa.org.
The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) is the 129-year-old trade association representing U.S. manufacturers and distributors of over-the-counter medicines and dietary supplements. Information on the association can be found at www.chpa-info.org.
The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), founded in 1973, is a Washington, D.C.-based trade association representing 100+ dietary supplement manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, and companies providing services to those manufacturers and suppliers. In addition to complying with a host of federal and state regulations governing dietary supplements in the areas of manufacturing, marketing, quality control and safety, our manufacturer and supplier members also agree to adhere to additional voluntary guidelines as well as to CRN's Code of Ethics. Visit www.crnusa.org.
The Natural Products Association (NPA), founded in 1936, is the largest and oldest non-profit organization dedicated to the natural products industry. NPA represents over 1,900 members accounting for more than more than 10,000 retailers, manufacturers, wholesalers, and distributors of natural products, including foods, dietary supplements, and health/beauty aids. As the leading voice of the natural products industry, the NPA's mission is to advocate for the rights of consumers to have access to products that will maintain and improve their health, and for the rights of retailers and suppliers to sell these products. Visit www.NPAInfo.org.
The United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA) is an association representing many leading dietary supplement, functional food and analytical companies that share a commitment to provide consumers with natural health products of superior quality, benefit and reliability. Founded in Utah in 1992, UNPA was instrumental in the passage of the 1994 Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) and continues to take a leadership position in regulatory issues and industry best practices. You may visit our website at www.unpa.com.