WASHINGTON—Nearly 150 natural products industry members, representing 33 states, convened in Washington for the Natural Products Association’s (NPA) 13th annual lobbying even, Natural Products Day. The event included a morning issue briefing and lobby training session including an address from Charles Cook, publisher of the Cook Political Report; afternoon meetings with lawmakers and key staff members; and an evening reception and awards ceremony.
Lawmakers were asked to support the preservation of Dietary Supplement Health & Education Act (DSHEA), which protects access to dietary supplements, and to oppose any legislation that threatens DSHEA. Attendees also asked for co-sponsorship of the Child Nutrition Promotion and School Lunch Protection Act (S.934, H.R.1324), which addresses nutrition standards for foods served outside school lunch and breakfast programs; and to continue support for food safety legislation that strengthens protection without adding redundant regulations to the manufacturing of dietary supplements.
Further, attendees asked their elected officials to oppose the Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) Abuse Reduction Act of 2009 (S. 641), which amends the Controlled Substances Act to impose civil penalties for knowingly selling products containing DHEA to minors, and to support the Tax Equity for Dietary Supplements (H.R. 3406) bill that amends the IRS code to allow certain dietary supplements and meal replacement products to be eligible for tax exclusion for employer reimbursements of employee medical care expenses.
The evening reception on Capitol Hill attracted nearly 300 legislators and staff. The highlight of the reception was the presentation of the NPA Congressional Champion Awards. On hand to receive their awards were Sens. Tom Harkin (D-IA), Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Jon Tester (D-MT), and Reps. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) and Jared Polis (D-CO). In their comments to the crowd, all expressed appreciation to the attendees for participating in Natural Products Day. Sen. Michael B. Enzi (R-WY) was also honored.