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.

FDA warning letters dive into detail in the January 2018 AHPA Report!

January 2018 AHPA Report

McGuffin statement on Sen. Hatch retirement

DSHEA was a remarkable achievement, made possible in large part by Sen. Hatch’s persistence and hard work

American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) President Michael McGuffin issued the following statement regarding the retirement of Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), a vocal dietary supplement advocate who helped shape the laws that regulate the industry.

Industry Coalition Reminds Consumers, Retailers, and Product Marketers that Dietary Supplements Cannot Claim to Treat Opioid Addiction

Industry trade associations have been consistent in taking strong positions against marketing dietary supplements for treatment or prevention of diseases

The dietary supplement industry is aware of growing concerns regarding significant negative health impacts associated with opioid addiction and abuse. The leading trade associations of the dietary supplement industry support the responsible marketing and use of health-promoting vitamins, minerals, herbs, sports nutrition, and other dietary supplements.

AHPA mourns the passing of Jim Duke, a leading authority on herbal medicine

Bestselling author of The Green Pharmacy made invaluable contributions to the herbal community

AHPA was saddened to learn of the passing of James (Jim) A. Duke, Ph.D, a leading authority on herbal medicine who made invaluable contributions to the herbal products community.

Safety first: FDA's main mission in the December 2017 AHPA Report!

December 2017 AHPA Report

AHPA submits comments on pre-DSHEA dietary ingredient list

December 2017: AHPA recommended that FDA make significant changes to previous positions on new dietary ingredients (NDIs)

AHPA's comments were submitted in response to FDA's request for input on issues related to the future development of a list of dietary ingredients marketed in the United States prior to October 15, 1994, when the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) became law.

UNPA endorses AHPA's Good Agricultural and Collection Practices and Good Manufacturing Practices for Botanical Material

UNPA will encourage member companies to adopt AHPA's guidance

UNPA is the most recent association to endorse AHPA's guidance. The guidance has also been endorsed by the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) and Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA).

The most common FDA cGMP inspection observations of 2016-17

Data suggests inspections and compliance continues to increase

Data from the most recent FDA inspections of dietary supplement facilities conducted in 2016 and 2017 show FDA continues to inspect an increasing number of facilities annually and the industry continues to get better at communicating compliance to FDA inspectors.

Supplement associations endorse AHPA's Good Agricultural and Collection Practices and Good Manufacturing Practices for Botanical Material

CRN and CHPA voice support for AHPA's new guidance

AHPA's Good Agricultural Collection Practices and Good Manufacturing Practices for Botanical Material (GACP-GMP) has been endorsed by the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) and the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN).

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