Colorado Gov. Jared Polis in contravention of guidance from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), ordered the closure of health food stores during the COVID-19 public health crisis. Gov. Polis’s order will restrict access to a wide range of essential products sold by health food stores, including, water, electrolytes, nutritional supplements, healthy food options and other health-related products such as hand sanitizer.

“Gov. Polis’s decision is inconsistent with the federal government and other states, and amounts to an assault on small businesses. We hope that is not the governor’s intention since he chaired the Dietary Supplement Caucus during his congressional days, so it’s unclear as to why his latest order singled out such businesses as non-essential—he understands we’re regulated as foods,” said Daniel Fabricant, PhD, president and CEO of the Natural Products Association (NPA).