– New name selected to reflect breadth of membership; leadership role –

LAS VEGAS, NEV. (July 15, 2006) – In conjunction with the celebration of its 70th anniversary, the National Nutritional Foods Association announced today that it has changed its name to the Natural Products Association. The new name, which was overwhelmingly approved by a recent vote of the association’s membership, more accurately describes the organization’s diverse membership base and positions the association to keep pace with the dynamic natural products marketplace.

“Our new name not only reflects the breadth of our existing membership, but it also recognizes the association’s position as the overarching trade organization for the natural products industry,” said David Taylor, president of the Natural Products Association. “Along with our recently adopted mission and vision statements, our name change will allow us to emphasize that we really are the ‘big tent’ organization for retailers and suppliers of natural products.”

To reinforce its leadership position in representing the broad spectrum of natural products, the association has launched a comprehensive re-branding effort that will be rolled out over the next several months.

“Our strategic re-branding campaign will eliminate any confusion about who we are and who we represent for all our stakeholders, including members, potential members, legislators, the media and others,” said Taylor. “From an advocacy perspective in particular, our new name gives us a great opportunity to emphasize our broad base of support, not only from our membership, but from the millions of consumers who use natural products.”

The Natural Products Association was founded in 1936 as the American Health Foods Association, and has changed its name four times over the years. Currently, the Natural Products Association represents more than 9,600 retailers and suppliers of natural products, its largest membership in its history. 

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The Natural Products Association (formerly NNFA) ( www.NaturalProductsAssoc.org ) is the nation's largest and oldest non-profit organization dedicated to the natural products industry. The association represents more than 9,600 retailers, manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors of natural products including foods, dietary supplements, and health and beauty aids. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the Natural Products Association also has a national West coast office in California and seven regional offices throughout the United States. The association is governed by a 22-member board of directors representing all segments of industry.

Mission:

As the leading voice of the natural products industry, the Natural Product Association’s 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.

Vision:

The Natural Products Association strives to achieve a broader, more accessible marketplace for natural products that will improve the quality of life for consumers worldwide.