Based on guidance from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and President Trump’s declaration that workers in critical infrastructure have a “special responsibility” to continue working, the Natural Products Association (NPA) today said that its members, including thousands of health food stores in Pennsylvania, California, and Miami-Dade, FL whose elected officials have balked at this declaration, would remain open at the discretion of business operators in order to provide essential services during the COVID-19 public health crisis.

“We have a responsibility to stay open and provide essential services, and that is exactly what we are going to do. Health-food stores that provide nutritional supplements and other health and wellness products will remain open at the discretion of business owners,” said Daniel Fabricant, PhD, president and CEO, NPA. “Local businesses are an essential resource for Americans in times like these, especially people at risk, who need access to neighborhood stores. Communities need these stores open and we are asking lawmakers to lift any order as it relates to health food stores.”

The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) was in agreement concerning the importance of these facilities remaining open.

“On an ordinary day, these products play an important role for the health and well-being of consumers, and it is critical that we ensure continued consumer access to these products during this public health pandemic,” said Steve Mister, president & CEO, CRN. “This is not the time to jeopardize consumer access to these products. Simply put, they matter more than ever right now.”

“CRN supports the recent actions by federal, state and local officials in the effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and understands the role of limiting non-essential commerce to protect the health and safety of the public,” Mister continued. “We believe it is vital for key industries like food and healthcare product manufacturing, including dietary supplement facilities, to be considered essential as these sectors produce products that promote better health and provide consumers with critical nutrients they need every day.”

In recent days, states and territories have begun to order the closure of most businesses for an indefinite period except for supermarkets, pharmacies, restaurants offering carryout or delivery, medical equipment stores, gas stations, banks, and liquor stores. DHS guidance relevant to health food stores and the nutritional supplement supply chain includes:

Food and Agriculture

• Workers supporting groceries, pharmacies and other retail that sells food and beverage products

• Food manufacturer employees and their supplier employees—to include those employed in food processing (packers, meat processing, cheese plants, milk plants, produce, etc.) facilities; livestock, poultry, seafood slaughter facilities; pet and animal feed processing facilities; human food facilities producing by-products for animal food; beverage production facilities; and the production of food packaging

• Employees and firms supporting food, feed, and beverage distribution, including warehouse workers, vendor-managed inventory controllers and blockchain managers

• Workers in food testing labs in private industries and in institutions of higher education

• Employees of companies engaged in the production of chemicals, medicines, vaccines, and other substances used by the food and agriculture industry, including pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, minerals, enrichments, and other agricultural production aids

Critical Manufacturing

• Workers necessary for the manufacturing of materials and products needed for medical supply chains, transportation, energy, communications, food and agriculture, chemical manufacturing, nuclear facilities, the operation of dams, water and wastewater treatment, emergency services, and the defense industrial base.

NPA recently launched a grassroots campaign urging lawmakers to keep health food stores open as state, local, and national governments respond to COVID-19. NPA’s grassroots campaign can be viewed here.