Last week about 125 natural products industry stakeholders and supporters convened on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, at the 14^th annual Natural Products Day, an event hosted by the Natural Products Association (NPA) aimed toward promoting greater consumer access to and awareness of natural products.
 
Attendees—including a wide range of retailers, manufacturers and suppliers hailing from Alaska to Florida—met with members of Congress and their Congressional staffers about the industry and NPA’s legislative priorities. The day began with an issue briefing and advocacy training session. Attendees then spent the afternoon in meetings with lawmakers and key staff members from their districts and states.
 
During their meetings, lawmakers were educated on the extensive regulatory structure governing dietary supplements, and on the health and economic benefits of the industry. They also learned about the NPA’s growing Natural Seal certification program, which now covers more than 600 health and beauty and homecare products and ingredients.
 
On the legislative front, attendees asked Congress to support the Tax Equity for Meal Replacements and Supplements Act when it is reintroduced in Congress. The Act would extend the same Flexible Spending Account (FSA) dollars currently afforded to prescription drugs to be used for supplements and meal replacements that are permitted to make health claims.
 
In addition, lawmakers were asked to oppose the Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) Abuse Reduction Act when it is reintroduced, as it will amend the Controlled Substances Act to impose civil penalties for knowingly selling a product containing DHEA to a minor. The Act would also take DHEA products off the retail shelf and put behind the counter, providing a disservice to consumers, according to NPA.
 
Lawmakers were urged to continue their support of food safety legislation that strengthens protection of the public while not adding redundant regulations to the manufacturing of dietary supplements.
 
They were also asked to consider joining the Congressional Dietary Supplement Caucus, a group created to help educate lawmakers about the benefits of dietary supplements and to promote research into the health care savings these products can provide.

And finally, NPA also took the opportunity to correct the common misperception that the natural products industry is unregulated, offering a handout that points out the numerous laws governing the sale and manufacture of supplements.

The day ended with a packed evening reception on Capitol Hill, where attendees, legislators and staff mixed and mingled. At the reception, NPA presented Congressional Champion Awards to a number of legislators including Representative Dan Burton of Indiana, Representative Jason Chaffetz of Utah, Representative Michael Enzi of Wyoming, Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa, Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah, Representative Jared Polis of Colorado and Senator Jon Tester of Montana.
 
Senators Harkin and Hatch and Representative Burton addressed the group, expressing their support for the industry and appreciation for this honor. NPA pledged to continue working with all members across party lines to strengthen the industry’s position in Congress.
 
“We are delighted that so many NPA members and others in the industry took time out from their stores and companies to come to Washington, D.C., to educate their elected officials,” said NPA executive director and CEO John Gay. “Coupled with NPA’s lobbying and grassroots efforts, Natural Products Day helps us educate a new Congress, in which about one in five legislators are new to the job.”