On Feb. 17, 2025, longtime American Natural Merchandise Affiliation (AHPA) President Michael McGuffin died at age 74.
Based on a memorial posted on the AHPA web site, for 25 years, McGuffin served because the affiliation’s president, abandoning an indelible mark on the pure merchandise trade via his steadfast advocacy for affordable laws and proactive self-governance. Past his skilled contributions, he was a trusted mentor, a cherished buddy and a pillar of the natural neighborhood.
McGuffin served as AHPA president since 1999 and led the affiliation via a interval of outstanding progress in membership and been a driving pressure behind AHPA’s document of trailblazing advocacy on behalf of its members and the broader natural product and dietary complement industries. Underneath his management, AHPA secured vital legislative victories—together with the enactment of the Dietary Complement and Nonprescription Drug Client Safety Act, a severe antagonistic occasion reporting legislation for dietary dietary supplements—and produced invaluable trade assets, such because the Botanical Security Handbook (2nd version), Herbs of Commerce (2nd and threerd editions) and quite a few steerage insurance policies and paperwork.
He was a number one skilled on dietary complement regulation who regularly spoke on dietary complement laws in the USA and overseas. He was revealed in quite a few scholarly and scientific journals and made appearances in varied information publications corresponding to The New York Occasions, The Washington Put up, U.S. Information & World Report, and Newsweek.
He additionally held positions at different organizations, such because the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration (FDA), California Workplace of Environmental Well being Hazard Evaluation, the College of Southern California (USC) Faculty of Pharmacy, the American Natural Pharmacopeia, the American Affiliation of Acupuncture and Oriental Drugs, and United Plant Savers.
In an announcement, AHPA stated it is going to deeply miss McGuffin’s humor, encyclopedic data of natural merchandise, his smart counsel and his skilled tomato-growing abilities. The affiliation mourns his passing, but in addition celebrates his outstanding legacy, which is able to proceed to form each AHPA and the trade to come back.
In January 2025, McGuffin stepped down a AHPA president and introduced his plans to transition to a senior advisory position following the appointment of his successor. AHPA’s Director of Program Growth Jane Wilson grew to become the interim govt director on Feb. 14. The affiliation continues its seek for its subsequent president.
“Michael’s management and keenness have been unparalleled, and his influence on AHPA and the natural neighborhood can’t be overstated. Whereas we grieve this large loss, AHPA stays totally dedicated to serving our members and carrying ahead the imaginative and prescient and values that Michael championed,” Wilson stated.
Particulars on plans to have a good time McGuffin’s life and contributions to the natural trade will likely be shared within the coming days, in response to the affiliation.
