Michael McGuffin
AHPA President Michael McGuffin Dies at 73
On Feb. 17, 2025, longtime American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) President Michael McGuffin died at age 73. According to a memorial posted on the AHPA website, for 25 years, McGuffin served as the association’s president, leaving behind an indelible mark on the natural products industry through his steadfast advocacy for reasonable regulations and proactive self-governance. ...
Industry Responds to RFK Jr.’s Nomination as HHS Director
On Nov. 14, President-elect Donald Trump nominated environmental attorney Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK) as director of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). After ending his own presidential campaign, Kennedy endorsed Trump and has since launched “Make America Healthy Again,” a campaign that “prioritizes regenerative agriculture, protects natural resources and removes harmful toxins ...
Oregon Introduces Cannabinoid Safety and Regulation Act to Protect Children
United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) introduced the Cannabinoid Safety and Regulation Act (CSRA) to establish national standards to protect public health and safety and keep cannabis products out of the hands of children. The bill is co-sponsored by Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR). According to Wyden, the CSRA would establish a national age restriction to ...
BMC Medicine Retracts DNA Barcoding Study on Herbal Products, Industry Responds
In July 2024, BMC Medicine’s editorial office retracted a 2013 study which used DNA barcoding analysis to test 44 herbal products. “The Editor has retracted this article. An investigation by the University of Guelph has found evidence of data fabrication in relation to this article. The Editor therefore no longer has confidence in the ...
James “Jim” Jones to Head FDA Food Division, Industry Associations Respond
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced that it has selected James “Jim” Jones, a 30-year veteran of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to direct its food division as part of a broader reorganization, the agency said. The FDA in January said it would reorganize its food program after being criticized for its slow response ...
Trade Associations Applaud Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Access to Dietary Supplements
The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA), American Herbal Products Association (AHPA), Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), Natural Products Association (NPA) and the United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA) have applauded the introduction of the Dietary Supplements Access Act. Introduced on July 20th by U.S. Representatives Darin LaHood (R-Ill.), Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.), John Curtis (R-Utah) and Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), the bipartisan legislation ...
AHPA Announces Release of Herbs of Commerce, Third Edition
The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) has announced the release of the third edition of Herbs of Commerce. The publication provides guidance on the consistent naming of botanical ingredients on product labels, especially those marketed in the U.S. as dietary supplements, according to the association. It is now available for purchase on Amazon. AHPA published ...
Michael McGuffin, President, American Herbal Products Association
Michael McGuffin has served as president of the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) since 1999, leading the association in its mission 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. McGuffin also serves on the boards of directors of ...
Amazon Reportedly Enforces Erroneous FDA Adulteration Allegation
An American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) member recently informed AHPA that Amazon has prohibited the sale of products containing Pinellia ternata, presumably based on inaccurate information in a warning letter that the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) issued on February 23, 2022. In March 2021, FDA conducted an inspection of dietary supplement manufacturer Princess Lifestyles LLC (San Gabriel, ...
AHPA Submits Comments to FDA on Proposed Rule for “Healthy” Claims
The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) has submitted comments to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requesting revisions to the proposed rule updating the regulation governing “healthy” claims for food products, including dietary supplements. This proposed rule follows a 2016 Federal Register notice in which FDA invited comments on the term “healthy” as a ...
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