Please Oppose the Dietary Supplement Safety Act of 2010 "A series of new laws for criminals to ignore is not the answer."  - John Gay, CEO of the Natural Products Association At a press conference February 3, 2010, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Senator Dorban (D-North Dakota) announced that they would be introducing legislation (Dietary Supplement Safety Act of 2010) that would amend the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) to give the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) additional powers over retailers and suppliers in the dietary supplements industry. Click here for a brief description of the Dietary Supplement Safety Act of 2010 Click here for the full text of the bill "Our industry has long supported efforts to remove the relatively few bad actors who market adulterated products. We have advocated for additional enforcement funds for regulators, and for giving regulators additional authority to act. What we cannot support is wholesale changes to a regulatory structure that is working, and could work better if the measures we have supported were adopted. A series of new laws for criminals to ignore is not the answer. Some seek to paint with an awfully broad brush. For example, the idea that the 150 million Americans who use dietary supplements are gambling with their health by shopping at mainstream stores just doesn't stand up to scrutiny. Hyperbole does not lead to sound policy." - John Gay, executive director and CEO of the Natural Products Association John Gay Executive Director and CEO Natural Products Foundation Click here to take action Click here to find your elected representatives Click here to find out what is DSHEA National Products Association Homepage

Take Action in Your State

NPA East keeps its fingers on the legislative pulse in your state. We are looking for conscientious, independent retailers, who are willing to stand up and take action when threatening legislation appears on the horizon. To lend your support to protect your livelihood, please contact the Executive Director.

Become State Captain or District Captain

The time to affiliate with an advocacy-focused trade association is now. To become a concerned citizen of the natural products community after negative legislation has been filed is too late. Newly introduced legislation can become law in a matter of weeks. NPA East is dedicated to organizing now and being poised to protect the future of our industry as soon as threats arise. To lend your support to protect your livelihood, please contact the Executive Director.

Being Heard on the Hill - The Importance of Advocacy
By John Gay, Executive Director and CEO, Natural Products Association

With all the focus on the country's health needs and the proposed health plan working its way through Congress, the time has never been better to become active in educating legislators about the important role this industry plays in making America healthier. 

As the leading voice of the natural products industry, our mission is to advocate for the rights of consumers to have access to products that will maintain and improve their health, and for the rights of retailers and suppliers to sell these products. Participating in the political process through advocacy and grassroots efforts is one of the most important ways we can accomplish this mission.

Is it Really That Important?
Each election sends scores of new members of Congress and staff to Washington, D.C. The new leaders bring their own interpretations of legislature and regulatory efforts when they take office and these interpretations may determine whether the legislator supports or opposes a piece of proposed legislation. Providing facts and expertise to these legislators through advocacy efforts is the key to educating and informing these new leaders on the role the natural products industry plays in the well-being of the country and its citizens.

Lately, regulations affecting the natural products industry have been challenged by legislators, aided by an eager media. For example, the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) has come under renewed attack after 15 years of serving the industry and the American public well, and the quality and safety of dietary supplements has been questioned through Congressional hearings and in the media. 

For these and many other reasons, grassroots participation is more important than ever.  Industry professionals have an obligation  to take part such efforts as letter-writing, calling their representatives, visiting their legislators in their state or federal offices, monitoring legislation that can affect the industry, and speaking out at town hall meetings held by legislators when Congress is not in session.

There's Power in Numbers
One voice crying out in the wilderness may be heard, but many voices are sure to be noticed. Industry professionals can take advantage of the opportunity to be heard as a group by participating in special events like lobby days and town halls, or by forming a delegation of industry experts to visit legislators in their local offices. 

Arguably, the most important benefit of Natural Products Association (NPA) membership is the legislative and regulatory protection that it supports. The association's powerful lobbying presence in Washington, D.C., as well as far-reaching grassroots networks at national and regional levels work to protect and advance the common goals of the natural products industry.

The Natural Products Association provides a perfect venue for getting the message to legislators through its annual Natural Products Day, scheduled this year for Tuesday March 23 in Washington, D.C. Designed to build the industry's base of support through personal meetings with members of Congress, Natural Products Day allows participants to put a face to public policy issues and tell legislators how they stand on important legislation. There is no cost to attendees and all meetings with legislators and their staff are prearranged. Full details are available at www.NPAInfo.org/NPD.

Using Your Virtual Voice
Industry professionals who cannot meet with their legislators face to face can still be heard by using the many virtual channels of communications now readily available. Aside from a simple phone call, "virtual lobbyists" can leave written comments on legislators' Facebook and Twitter pages, or send e-mail messages addressing specific issues through online tools like the NPA's online resources. Capwiz, which is built into the association's own Web site, sends users Action Alerts when legislation that could affect the industry is proposed. Users can then use Capwiz to
learn more about the legislation and contact their legislators with an appropriate response.

Advocacy is a year-round effort, much more than casting a vote on Election Day.  To be an effective advocate, you must become part of that process, using whatever channels of communications are available to you. Natural products professionals and their customers should remain aware of what is going on in the halls of government, whether local or national. The industry and those who use the products all benefit from maintaining a strong, united voice in the political process.

For more information, please contact NPA East's Executive Director, Paul Kushner, at info@npaeast.org or 856-985-5446.