Industry responds to resolution to establish a “Natural Product Industry Week”

Photo © Shutterstock.com/bixstock

Industry trade organizations have responded to a recent resolution submitted by Senators Mike Lee (R-UT) and Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) that recognizes the contributions of the natural products industry to people’s health and the economy. The resolution designates October 22 to October 28, 2023 as “Natural Product Industry Week.”

“We look forward to working with Senators Lee and Sinema, and other members of Congress, to pursue bipartisan initiatives that raise the visibility of our industry and ensure consumer access to safe, high quality herbal and natural products,” said Michael McGuffin, president of the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA; Silver Spring, MD), in a press release.

Scott Melville, president and CEO of the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA; Washington, D.C.) thanked the Senators for recognizing the role natural products have played in people’s self-care and wellness. “As more Americans incorporate natural products into their overall self-care plans, CHPA thanks Senators Lee and Sinema for recognizing the ever increasing role this industry is playing in people’s lives and looks forward to continuing to work with Congress toward comprehensive reforms that ensure continued success and innovation on behalf of U.S consumers,” stated Melville.

“It is entirely fitting that Congress recognize the anniversary of enactment of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act, which has done so much in the past 28 years to help consumers have access to the safe dietary supplements they want,” offered Loren Israelson, president of the United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA; Salt Lake City, UT). “UNPA was proud to have played a role in passing DSHEA and thankful that two supplement advocates, Senators Lee and Sinema, are working to commemorate that achievement for consumers."

The resolution also highlighted data from the Council for Responsible Nutrition’s (CRN; Washington, DC) healthcare savings cost study, for which Steve Mister, president and CEO of CRN, thanked the Senators.