NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (September 2, 2004) – Within 72 hours of the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) publication of a final regulation on good manufacturing practices (GMPs) for dietary supplements—which could occur at any time—the National Nutritional Foods Association (NNFA) will hold a Web conference highlighting the most important aspects of the rule as they relate to the dietary supplement industry.

Expert panelists will be on-hand to address specific aspects of the rule and answer questions from participants. Panelists include Scott Bass, head of food and drug law practice for Sidley Austin Brown & Wood, and Carl Reynolds, senior consultant for FDA-regulated industries for AAC Consulting. NNFA has also invited an FDA official to be on-hand to answer questions.

The conference will focus on key areas, such as whether the rule:

·                     provides a flexible and cost-efficient testing scheme

·                     allows for the use of certificates of analysis

·                     contains HACCP-like provisions for manufacturing controls

·                     applies to entire industry, including raw material suppliers and
            foreign firms

·                     requires expiration or shelf life dating

·                     presents a reasonable timeline for implementation

The Web conference is ideal for those involved with regulatory affairs, production, quality assurance/control, and legal functions. The format provides an easy way for a variety of staff from different areas to learn about the rule at one time. The conference functions much like a large conference call, but in a more controlled, appealing environment. Participants simply dial in from their phones, enter a PIN number, and log in to the Web site.

Before the rule is released, NNFA is offering the conference for the low price of $229 for NNFA members and $329 for non-members per phone connection. Once the rule is released, which could be at any time, the price increases to $279 for members and $379 for non-members. The registration form for this event can be downloaded at www.nnfa.org/services/training/webcast.htm.

About NNFA

NNFA (www.nnfa.org) is the nation’s largest and oldest non-profit organization dedicated to the natural products industry. NNFA represents nearly 8,000 retailers, manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors of natural products including foods, dietary supplements, and health and beauty aids. In addition to offices in Washington D.C. and Newport Beach, Calif., NNFA also has seven regional offices throughout the United States and is governed by a 22-member board of directors representing all segments of industry.

Without waiting for the establishment of government regulations, in 1999 NNFA developed and enforces its own good manufacturing practices within its membership. Modeled after the 1997 industry guidelines, NNFA’s GMP Program is a third-party certification program, which includes inspections and comprehensive audits of manufacturing facilities to determine whether NNFA-specified performance standards are being met in a variety of areas including quality operations, production and process controls, and distribution.

Source: NNFA
http://www.nnfa.org
Contact: George Sun, Communications Manager, gsun@nnfa.org
p.(949) 622-6272, ext. 234