AHPA Adopts Trade Requirement on Labeling of Undiluted Essential Oils

The American Herbal Products Association's (AHPA) Board of Trustees recently adopted a trade requirement to support the safe-use and proper-identification of undiluted essential oils used topically and offered for retail sale.

The trade requirement, which AHPA members must come into compliance with by Jan. 9, 2010, requires that undiluted essential oils offered for retail sale and intended for topical use include all of the following information or statements on package labels:

• "Keep out of reach of children" or significantly similar cautionary language
• "External Use Only," "Not for Internal Use," "Not for Ingestion" or significantly similar cautionary language
• "Keep away from eyes and mucous membranes" or significantly similar cautionary language
• The Latin name of the plant from which the essential oil is derived
• Identification of the plant part from which the essential oil is derived

Developed by a working group of AHPA's Botanical Personal Care Products Committee, composed of both AHPA member companies and non-member companies involved in the trade of essential oils, the trade requirement is intended to help educate industry and promote the responsible sale and use of undiluted essential oils intended for topical use and sold at retail. The labeling requirement does not address synthetic fragrances, which are not, in fact, essential oils.

All of AHPA's trade requirements and guidance policies are available on AHPA's Web site.

AHPA Adopts Trade Requirement on Labeling of Undiluted Essential Oils

The American Herbal Products Association's (AHPA) Board of Trustees recently adopted a trade requirement to support the safe-use and proper-identification of undiluted essential oils used topically and offered for retail sale.

The trade requirement, which AHPA members must come into compliance with by Jan. 9, 2010, requires that undiluted essential oils offered for retail sale and intended for topical use include all of the following information or statements on package labels:

• "Keep out of reach of children" or significantly similar cautionary language
• "External Use Only," "Not for Internal Use," "Not for Ingestion" or significantly similar cautionary language
• "Keep away from eyes and mucous membranes" or significantly similar cautionary language
• The Latin name of the plant from which the essential oil is derived
• Identification of the plant part from which the essential oil is derived

Developed by a working group of AHPA's Botanical Personal Care Products Committee, composed of both AHPA member companies and non-member companies involved in the trade of essential oils, the trade requirement is intended to help educate industry and promote the responsible sale and use of undiluted essential oils intended for topical use and sold at retail. The labeling requirement does not address synthetic fragrances, which are not, in fact, essential oils.

All of AHPA's trade requirements and guidance policies are available on AHPA's Web site.

Swine flu false claims infecting supplement industry

Swine flu false claims are starting to infect the supplement industry. What is the long-term effect of irresponsible marketing, products claiming to "cure" swine flu? Read this blog post by the Nutrition Business Journal for more information:

"The FDA is bracing for an onslaught of dietary supplements and other products making false or misleading claims for the H1N1, or swine flu, virus. A quick Internet search found that a number of U.S. companies are currently touting products they say can prevent or cure the H1N1 virus. In an effort to get out in front of what could be a public relations nightmare and provide fuel for tighter supplement regulation in the future, a coalition of supplement industry trade associations issued a statement today urging supplement manufacturers and retailers to “refuse to stock or sell any supplements that are presented as treating or curing swine flu” and to “refrain from promoting any dietary supplement as a cure or treatment for swine flu.”

"The groups backing the statement are the American Herbal Products Association, the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, the Council for Responsible Nutrition and the Natural Products Association. In their statement, the groups also noted that “federal law does not allow dietary supplements to claim to treat any diseases, including swine flu” and that they are “unaware of any scientific data supporting the use of dietary supplements to treat swine flu.”

"The statement did note that “there are dietary supplements that have much to offer in terms of enhancing general immune function. However, therapies for the treatment of swine flu should only be recommended by qualified healthcare professionals or public health authorities.”

"Given mounting public anxiety in the United States and beyond over the fast-spreading H1N1 virus, the associations’ action is an important step in encouraging the supplement industry to act responsibly and legally in the face of a potential health crisis. Let’s just hope companies heed their warning rather than put the industry in jeopardy by attempting to milk profits from public fear."

Related links:

Natural Products Foundation Urges full Enforcement of the Law Regarding False Advertising for Dietary Supplements

Industry Making Strides in Improving Tarnished Image of Weight-Loss Supplements

Avian Flu: Consumer Scenarios and Responsible Marketing

© Accessed 5/6/09: Nutrition Business Journal: http://tinyurl.com/dcnuzf

Obama sees alternative medicine as a practical avenue for prevention

During an April 29 Town Hall meeting in Arnold, MO, President Barack Obama said, "We should do what works," expressing his openness to including complementary alternative medicine (CAM) in the U.S. healthcare system.

Obama went on to say, “I think it is pretty well documented through scientific studies that acupuncture, for example, can be very helpful in relieving certain things like migraines and other ailments—or at least as effective as more intrusive interventions.”

According to a press release on the Nutraceuticals World website, "The response followed a question posed by a licensed acupuncturist and massage therapist, who asked the president how alternative medicine would fit into his new healthcare system."

The press release goes on to say:

"'I think one basic principle that we know is that the more we do on the prevention side, the more we can obtain serious savings down the road,” he added after commenting directly on acupuncture. President Obama also stressed the importance of changing the current logic of the healthcare system, which focuses only on reducing costs in the near-term.

“Reimbursement for healthcare provided by CAM practitioners not only would support the health of the public,” said Michael McGuffin, president of the American Herbal Products Association, Silver Spring, MD, “it represents a significant opportunity for products used and prescribed by CAM practitioners and a major step forward in the development of an innovative and wellness-based healthcare system.'"

To read the original press release on the Nutraceuticals World website, click here.