The Natural Products Association (NPA) announced winners of the 25th Annual NPA Awards, honoring outstanding individuals in government and businesses that have made valuable contributions to the success of the natural products industry. The awards were handed out during NPA’s The Big Natural on June 7 in Las Vegas, NV.
 
“The Big Natural is the premier event for the industry and we’re proud to honor this year’s awards winners,” said Daniel Fabricant, PhD, NPA president and CEO. “We congratulate Senator Orrin Hatch for his decades of service to our country and his commitment to ensuring consumers have access to healthy, natural products to support their daily lives. We look forward to continuing to support and collaborate with leaders in government and business who strive to further the growth of and access to natural products for consumers.”
 
The winners of the 2018 NPA Awards include:
 
NPA Natural Championship Trophy: Senator Orrin Hatch
The NPA’s Natural Championship Award is the penultimate trophy recognizing leadership to promote and pilot natural product initiatives to impact the lives of consumers. During his decades in Congress, Senator Hatch established himself as a champion for nutritional supplements and for consumers’ access to healthy, natural products. Senator Hatch credits his personal health to his daily nutritional supplements, leading him to be an advocate to the natural and dietary supplement industry. He played a key role in the passing of DSHEA and in 2016 introduced legislation to expand Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts to include dietary and nutritional supplements.
 
NPA President’s Award
The President’s Award recognizes an individual who has made long-term contributions or a one-time, significant impact to the natural products industry. Dadrion Gaston’s & Guru Ramanathan’s efforts to drive change in the industry to increase consumer confidence and improve food safety globally from farm to fork through their participation in the Supplement Safety Compliance Initiative (SSCI) has been recognized by NPA. 
 
Dadrion Gaston
Ms. Gaston began her career with Walmart in 1989 and is currently responsible for leading Walmart’s Health & Wellness Product Safety & Compliance program overseeing product safety & regulatory compliance issues related to healthcare products including dietary supplements, OTC pharmaceuticals and prescription products. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Northeastern State University, a Pharmacy degree from the University of Oklahoma and holds certifications in Healthcare Compliance and Corporate Compliance. Ms. Gaston is an active member of American Pharmacist Association, the American Society for Pharmacy Law, and the Health Care Compliance Association.
 
Guru Ramanathan
Dr. Ramanathan is the chief innovation officer and senior vice president for General Nutrition Corporation (GNC). He is responsible for scientific affairs, regulatory compliance, quality assurance and control, clinical trials management, technology acquisition, alliance management, product development and manufacturing operations for GNC’s global markets. Prior to GNC, Dr. Ramanathan served as senior director for Royal Numico’s U.S. subsidiaries and medical director for the U.S. subsidiary of Scotia Pharmaceutical. Dr. Ramanathan holds an MBA from Duke’s Fuqua School of Business, and a PhD in Healthcare Innovation Management from Tufts University.
 
NPA Call-of-Duty Award: John Venardos
This award has been created to honor an NPA member whose actions and activities consistently and regularly go well beyond what is expected or required within the usual position functions and responsibilities as an association and committee member. This is awarded to someone who has answered above and beyond their call of duty and participation to NPA.
 
John Venardos has over 30 years of proven experience registering science-based novel ingredients, supplements, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Throughout his career as a government relations professional, he has cultivated close relationships in Washington, the European Union, the ASEAN region, China, India, and Russia.
 
Novel Ingredient and Science Award: BASF Corporation (presented to Prerna Chatterjee)
BASF offers the largest selection of ingredients for manufacturers who want to certify their products according to the NPA Natural Standard. The BASF portfolio for natural cosmetics ranges from basic raw materials—like surfactants and emollients—to additives and active ingredients. The award is issued annually for development of a novel ingredient(s) with far reaching applications, clinical disease utility, health benefit, or regulatory safety achievement, demonstrated through sound scientific research. NPA would like to recognize BASF for their accomplishments.  
 
Socially Responsible Retailer Award: Stay Healthy! (presented to Marge Roman)
Stay Healthy! was started by Wayne Rudolph in 1984 and has evolved into a store specializing in supplements and education. The company sponsors a daily radio show, hosted by a Naturopathic Doctor, who also provides free consultations. Stay Healthy! is truly independent and is actively involved in all the legislative issues surrounding our industry. Stay Healthy! is one of the oldest family business in Ward 1 in the city of Las Vegas.