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  AHPA calls for clear safety standards, path to innovation in FDA public meeting comments

  April 29, 2026 The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) has submitted comments to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that chart a course for emergent dietary ingredient technologies. These comments reflect the fundamental AHPA principles of consumer safety and a well-informed marketplace. AHPA's comments follow a March public meeting in which FDA explored ways to better address dietary ingredient forms and technologies not explicitly enumerated in the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA). In the public meeting, FDA officials showed openness to reconsidering the agency's historical interpretation of aspects of the “dietary ingredient” definition. Previously, FDA has interpreted a catchall clause of the definition, “a dietary substance for use by man to supplement the diet by increasing the total dietary intake,” to exclude any substance not already found in the conventional food supply. This approach has had the effect of stifling research and driving innovators to use Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) pathways and conventional food inclusions when bringing new ingredients such as probiotics and microbes to market. At the same meeting, the agency sought answers regarding the sort of safety data that could inform reviews of ingredients in these categories, alongside well-characterized substances produced via new technologies such as cell culture or precision fermentation. AHPA makes clear in its comments that, contrary to FDA's historical interpretation of DSHEA, a direct pathway to market must exist for innovative ingredients. At the same time, the comments emphasize that dietary supplement labeling must not mislead consumers regarding the origins of substances produced using innovative technologies. AHPA's comments also address elements of characterizing data that can inform the review of dietary ingredients produced using such technologies. “Consumers deserve access to safe and beneficial new ingredients, but they also have a right to know where their products come from,” said AHPA President & CEO Graham Rigby. “We continue to support a facts-forward approach that clarifies the dietary ingredient landscape for consumer and regulator alike.” FDA has included industry guidance on new dietary ingredient safety and identity information in its set of 2026 priority deliverables. AHPA and the broader dietary supplement community eagerly await this timely yet long-awaited publication.

  • Wednesday, April 29, 2026
  • | Posted by AHPA
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  AHPA Sports & Active Nutrition Committee Chair briefs Congressional Dietary Supplement Caucus on protein

  April 23, 2026   Yesterday, American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) Sports & Active Nutrition Committee Chair Rob Wildman, PhD, RD, FISSN, served as the featured subject matter expert on protein at a Congressional Dietary Supplement Caucus educational briefing in Washington, D.C. Dr. Wildman, who founded the International Protein Board and currently serves as Chief Science Officer for TCI Biotech, provided members of the caucus and their staff with a comprehensive overview of the role of protein in the diet, recent beneficial reforms within the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and the evolving challenges facing protein products in the global marketplace. “As consumer demand continues to drive the expansion of protein in both the dietary supplement and conventional food sectors, it's vital that policymakers remain informed of the underlying science and the specific issues impacting these products,” said Dr. Wildman. “I welcomed the opportunity to represent AHPA and the broader industry in this important forum and extend my thanks to the caucus for having me.” The Dietary Supplement Caucus serves as a nonpartisan platform for members of Congress and their staff to engage with scientific experts, healthcare practitioners, and industry stakeholders. The caucus convenes educational briefings to gather up-to-date information on the dietary supplement sector, ensuring a foundation for balanced and informed policymaking.

  • Thursday, April 23, 2026
  • | Posted by AHPA
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  Phase 1 IEEPA tariff refund system now available – limitations apply

  April 21, 2026 U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has activated phase 1 of its Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) system, used to request refunds of IEEPA tariffs found unlawful by the Supreme Court earlier this year. During phase 1, the system will generally accept “CAPE declarations” for entries that have not been liquidated or are within 80 days of liquidation. Some entries, such as those subject to a drawback claim or covered by an open protest, are not included in phase 1 and will likely come online later. As previously reported, CAPE declarations must be made through the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). Declarations require only a list of entry numbers in a comma separated value (CSV) format. A specific template for use in providing a CAPE declaration is available from within the CAPE interface. Declarations must be submitted by the importer of record for the entries in question (or the broker who submitted them on the importer's behalf). Tariff refunds are anticipated within 60-90 days of declaration acceptance for most submissions. The AHPA Tariff Toolkit has been updated with links and documents from CBP explaining the details and context of the CAPE declaration process. AHPA will host a members only webinar on Thursday, April 23 at 10:00 AM PT / 1:00 PM ET to explain the CAPE declaration system, answer questions regarding IEEPA tariff refund availability and ongoing court activity, and summarize additional caveats and limitations. While a recording of the webinar will be made available to members after the event, the CAPE system and associated IEEPA refund procedures are subject to significant legal attention and potentially rapid change. AHPA will continue to update members as the IEEPA refund process expands.

  • Tuesday, April 21, 2026
  • | Posted by AHPA
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  AHPA President & CEO to speak at first East Coast SoCal Dietary Supplement Consortium Event

  April 1, 2026   The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) is pleased to announce AHPA President & CEO Graham Rigby will be a featured speaker at the first East Coast SoCal Dietary Supplement Consortium (SCDSC) Event on May 15, 2026. This inaugural East Coast gathering will take place at the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) facility in Rockville, MD, with a virtual attendance option also available. Building on the success of the long-running Southern California consortium, this premier event brings together regulatory, quality, and compliance professionals in collaboration with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). At the event, Rigby will share an industry update with insights into the current regulatory landscape, highlighting key priorities and policy developments impacting the dietary supplement and herbal product industries. Darlene Almogela, Acting Deputy Office Director of FDA's Office of Human Food Central Inspectorate, will deliver the keynote. Additional presentations from FDA officials and industry experts will cover essential topics such as: State regulatory updates Qualifying and monitoring contract laboratories Supplier qualification processes Gummy manufacturing quality and safety best practices “I am pleased to participate in the first SCDSC East Coast Event and support the cross-country expansion of this valuable forum,” said Rigby. “The consortium facilitates essential dialogue between industry and regulators, and I look forward to engaging with this expert group as we work together to advance the quality and safety standards that underpin consumer trust.” The SCDSC event is scheduled for May 15, following the USP Dietary Supplements Stakeholder Forum on May 14. AHPA encourages members and industry colleagues with interest to register and attend.

  • Wednesday, April 1, 2026
  • | Posted by AHPA