Industry trade associations support its members through COVID-19 resource centers

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to challenge our everyday lives, the financial foundation of this country, and our healthcare system, the health and nutrition industry’s leading associations are supporting it members by providing educational resource hubs-from resource packets to webcasts and up-to-date news feeds. Below is a list of the trade associations with COVID-19 resource centers.

American Herbal Products Association (AHPA; Silver Springs, MD)

AHPA (ahpa.org) hosted a free on-demand webinar on March 26 on the COVID-19 outbreak. It also launched a new webcenter with resource links, information on the herbal product business and general facts about the virus, a FAQ section, and more.

As the herbal industry adapts to a changing landscape due to COVID-19, AHPA will provide on-going updates and opportunities for gaining further insight that it trusts will help its members plan for the future with more confidence.

Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN; Washington, D.C.)

CRN created a COVID-19 resource page, including information on regulation/legislation, FAQs, updates, and an information template employees can provide authorities when working at essential businesses as more states come under shelter-in-place orders. Steve Minster, president and CEO of CRN, also released a YouTube video on COVID-19.

The trade organization is also encouraging its members to contact Carl Hyland (chyland@crnusa.org) or its staff members  to report how you’re doing, how CRN can help, and what new problems you’re facing.

Natural Products Association (NPA; Washington, D.C.)

NPA launched a COVID-19 resource campaign for the natural products industry, American consumers, and policymakers. As part of the campaign, NPA is educating lawmakers through its grassroots network, briefing reporters, and providing resources for the industry. Its grassroots campaign is urging lawmakers to keep health food stores open as state, local, and national governments respond to COVID-19.

“It is imperative that essential businesses such as health-food stores that provide nutritional supplements and other health and wellness products remain open for business,” said Daniel Fabricant, Ph.D., president and CEO of NPA, in a press release. “Local businesses are an essential resource for Americans in times like these, especially people at risk, who need access to neighborhood stores. Communities need these stores open and we are asking lawmakers to lift any order as it relates to health food stores.”

Additionally, in a letter to FDA and FTC, NPA urged the Agencies to take action against companies selling nutritional supplements claiming to treat or prevent infection by COVID-19.

“If a product sounds too good to be true, then it probably is,” Fabricant added. “There is no such thing as a magic pill and consumers should steer clear of any product being marketed as a nutritional supplement that says it will prevent, treat, or cure coronavirus or any other illness.”

The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA; Washington, D.C.)

CHPA is offering consumers the latest news on over-the-counter (OTC) medicines in regards to COVID-19 legislation, claims, and more.

The United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA; Salt Lake City, UT)

UNPA is offering a free, on-demand supply-chain webinar, “Coronavirus: How to Avoid Supply Chain Interruption” with UNPA president Loren Israelsen and TraceGains’ CEO Gary Nowacki. They discuss how companies can avoid supply-chain disruption during the coronavirus threat. As the outbreak continues, supply-chain industry professionals must take steps to ensure the safety of food and dietary supplement production now while preparing for future incidents.