(August 10, 2006, Silver Spring, MD) -- At its most recent meeting, the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) Board of Trustees added two trade recommendations to the association's Code of Ethics and Business Conduct.
 
AHPA's By-Laws define Obligations of Membership to include "… adherence to all policies and principles of business as outlined in the Code of Ethics." The AHPA Code of Ethics and Business Conduct has established that a trade recommendation of the Board of Trustees constitutes an amendment to the Code. The two trade recommendations described in this communication, therefore, constitute amendments to the Code and should be considered as such by all AHPA members.
 
Products for Use when Pregnant or Nursing
 
AHPA recommends that herbal supplements marketed for general retail sale and labeled specifically for use during pregnancy or while nursing, be labeled in a manner that instructs the consumer to discuss their use of the product with a health care practitioner.
 
This recommendation goes into effect on July 14, 2007.
 
 
Internet Sales of Dietary Supplements
 
AHPA recommends that websites on which dietary supplements or dietary ingredients are offered for sale provide contact information for the company that sponsors the website, consisting of at least the company name; phone number; and the city, state and zip code in which the company does business, and also consisting of the company's physical street address if the company is not listed in a telephone directory, and an email address in addition if desired, such contact information to be easily accessible to users of the website. AHPA further recommends that websites on which dietary supplements are offered for sale provide the supplement labeling information that is required on dietary supplement labels, or alternately, provide a statement to the effect that this information is available upon request. AHPA further recommends that the disclaimer that is required to accompany statements of nutritional support made in the labeling of dietary supplements (i.e., "This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.") be included on any page of a website on which such statement is made.
 
This recommendation goes into effect on January 14, 2007.
 
AHPA’s Code of Ethics and Business Conduct is online at: http://www.ahpa.org/Portals/0/pdfs/AHPA_CodeOfEthics.pdf.

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The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) represents the core of the botanical trade -- comprised of the finest growers, processors, manufacturers and marketers of herbal products -- AHPA’s mission is to promote the responsible commerce of herbal products. AHPA committees generate self-regulations to ensure the highest level of quality with respect to the way herbs are manufactured, labeled, and sold. Website: www.ahpa.org.