by Josh Long
On Nov. 18, several members of the Natural Products Association’s Board of Directors gathered in Washington, D.C., to speak with congressional offices and White House officials about the industry’s priorities.
NPA board members and staff underscored the need for Congress and the Trump administration to protect consumer access, strengthen domestic innovation, and ensure federal policy supports interstate commerce, trade competitiveness and industry growth.
Our discussions centered on four core issues:
- Establishing federal preemption to prevent a growing patchwork of state restrictions that limit access to dietary supplement products.
- Advancing drug-preclusion reform to stop FDA from retroactively excluding ingredients like NAC and NMN from supplements.
- Securing stable trade and tariff-exclusion policies that protect supply chains.
- Promoting innovation, research and U.S.-based manufacturing.
“The NPA Board of Directors trip to Washington, D.C., emphasized the value of direct engagement,” NPA President and CEO Daniel Fabricant, Ph.D., said. “By putting NPA’s priorities in front of congressional and administration officials, we demonstrated the economic footprint of our industry and the urgency of protecting consumer access.”
“The biggest takeaway from this week’s meetings is momentum,” Dr. Fabricant added. “Policymakers are increasingly recognizing the importance of uniform standards and regulatory oversight, and the need to support domestic innovation. NPA helped drive that conversation.”
Lief Labs founder Adel Villalobos was among the NPA board members to make the trip to the nation’s capital. As chairman of NPA’s 90th Anniversary Campaign, Mr. Villalobos is leading a $5 million fundraising initiative on behalf of the association.
The meetings held last week in Washington, D.C., reinforced “everything the Natural Products Association is and then some,” Mr. Villalobos told me. “In two days, our industry’s most passionate leaders — the NPA Board — convened in our country’s capital to have the difficult discussions. How do we ensure the health and vitality of our industry?”
The answer, Mr. Villalobos said, is showing up, establishing a plan and acting, which he acknowledged is “not an easy task” considering the resources that are required.
“But that doesn’t stop us!” he exclaimed. “As chairman of NPA’s 90th focused on setting the path to protect what we’ve built, drive innovation and invest in the future, I am excited to team up with the entire industry to make sure the leaders of tomorrow have the same opportunities I had.”
Industry veteran Joe Weiss is a member of the NPA Board of Directors and global head of brand management with PLT Health Solutions Inc. He also spent time last week in Washington, D.C.
“It’s always an exciting and gratifying opportunity to be a part of the NPA team when we meet with Congress and the White House to discuss the value that our industry provides to American consumers as part of their health and wellness self-care plan,” Mr. Weiss said.
He noted that it’s just as important to “educate political leaders on the threat to consumer access for supplements that is happening at the state and federal levels.”
“Dan and the NPA team are a very strong and capable advocate for our industry and are recognized in the halls of Congress and at the White House for their unrivaled expertise on the issues that we are facing on a daily basis,” Mr. Weiss added.
NPA board member Julio Torres told me that his trip to Washington, D.C., was meaningful, “with memorable moments at the White House, productive meetings with policymakers, and great conversations with fellow board members who care deeply about our industry.”
“Being in the places where regulations begin and shift reinforced how important it is to engage, not just adapt,” said Mr. Torres, CEO of Global Healing. “Thanks to NPA, I’m excited to help shape the future of natural products and dietary supplements.”
Josh Long is VP of communications and regulatory affairs with the Natural Products Association. You can reach him at jlong@npanational.org.
