TwoLeadingBritishHerbalOrganizationsEndorseBotanicalAdulterantsEducationalProgramNormal0falsefalsefalseEN-USJAX-NONE/*StyleDefinitions*/table.MsoNormalTable{mso-style-name:"TableNormal";mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;mso-style-noshow:yes;mso-style-priority:99;mso-style-parent:"";mso-padding-alt:0in5.4pt0in5.4pt;mso-para-margin-top:0in;mso-para-margin-right:0in;mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;mso-para-margin-left:0in;line-height:115%;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}150-Year-OldUKHerbalPractitionersAssociationandLeadingUKHerbTradeAssociationtoSupportABC-AHP-NCNPRBotanicalAdulterantsProgram,anInternationalHerbalQualityControlInitiative(AUSTIN,Texas,Jan.29,2015)TheNationalInstituteofMedicalHerbalists(NIMH)andtheBritishHerbalMedicineAssociation(BHMA)haverecentlyendorsedtheABC-AHP-NCNPRBotanicalAdulterantsProgram,aninternationalconsortiumofnonprofitorganizations,analyticallaboratories,industrymembers,professionalscientists,andothersthatadvisesindustry,researchers,healthprofessionals,andadditionalcommunitiesaboutthevariouschallengesrelatedtoadulteratedherbsandbotanicalingredientsincommerce.NIMH,whichwasfoundedin1864andis“theUK’sleadingprofessionalbodyrepresentingherbalpractitioners,”gavenoticeofitssupportinaletterdatedDecember15,2014,fromNIMHPresidentLauraStannardtoMarkBlumenthal,founderandexecutivedirectorofthenonprofitAmericanBotanicalCouncil (ABC)andgeneralmanageroftheABC-AHP-NCNPRBotanicalAdulterantsProgram.Intheletter,Stannardsaidofthedecision:“TheNIMHishappytosupporttheBotanicalAdulterantsProgram.Inlendingournametotheprogramwehopethatotherprofessionalassociationswillfollowourlead.Theadulterationofmedicinalplantsisanissueofgraveconcernforallherbalistsandeveryoneinvolvedinherbalmedicineworldwide.”BHMA,foundedin1964,promotestheadvancementof“thescienceandpracticeofherbalmedicineintheUnitedKingdom.Itpromotestheuseofherbalmedicinalproductsmanufacturedtopharmaceuticalstandardstoensureconsistentlyhighqualityandeffectivenessfortheconsumer.”TheBHMA’ssupportforBAPwasconfirmedonJanuary7,2015.InanemailtoBlumenthal,BHMAChairmanDickMiddleton,PhD,commented:“TheBHMAisdelightedtoendorseandsupporttheABC-AHP-NCNPRBotanicalAdulterantsProgram.TheprincipleobjectivesoftheProgramarepivotaltotheongoingdevelopmentofhigh-qualityherbalhealthproductsintheUSandrelatedmarkets,includingtheUnitedKingdom.Thecorethrust oftheprograminvolvingeducationandtrainingwillalsoleadtotheincreasingglobalavailabilityofhigh-qualityherbalmaterialstoherbalproductmanufacturers.Thiswillhelptocreatemorerobust,high-qualitysupplychains.”Adulterationreferstotheaccidentalorintentionalsubstitutionordilutionofamaterialwithanundisclosedorlower-costingredient,therebygivingtheconsumerafalsesenseofthevalueorqualityofaningredientorproductcontainingsuchanadulteratedingredient.TheABC-AHP-NCNPRBotanicalAdulterantsProgramisacoalitionofthreeAmericannonprofitgroups:ABC,theAmericanHerbalPharmacopoeia (AHP),andtheUniversityofMississippi’sNationalCenterforNaturalProductsResearch (NCNPR),withmorethan130otherAmericanandinternationalpartiessupportingandcooperatingwiththeProgram.“WearemostgratefulandencouragedbythestrongshowofsupportforourProgramthatwehavereceivedfromourherbcolleaguesintheUnitedKingdom,”saidBlumenthal.“ThereisalongandrobusthistoryoftherationalandresponsibleuseofherbsasaformofselfcareandhealthcareintheUK,goingbackcenturies.SupportforoureducationaleffortsabouthowtodetectadulterationandfraudintheherbalmarketwillnotonlyhelpenhancethequalityofherbproductsintheUK,butwillprovidegreatlywelcomeaddedimpetusandcooperationtotheinternationaleducationaleffortsofourProgram,”Blumenthaladded.NIMH’sendorsementoftheABC-AHP-NCNPRBotanicalAdulterantsProgramfollowssimilarendorsementsmadebyotherprofessionalorganizations,includingtheInternationalSocietyforMedicinalPlantandNaturalProductResearch(knownbyitsGermanacronym,GA)andtheAmericanSocietyofPharmacognosy(ASP),bothhighlyrespectedinternationalorganizationscomposedofleadingmedicinalplantresearchexperts.TheGAandASParethetwolargestorganizationsofprofessionalresearchersinthefieldofmedicinalplantsanddrugsofnaturalorigin.“Aspeoplecontinuetouseherbalmedicines,theroleofqualifiedpractitionersinsupportingtheminmakinginformeddecisionsisessential.Thishasneverbeenmoreimportantthannowwiththeongoingchallengeofadulterationsofingredientsusedintheproducts.TheendorsementofthisprogrambyorganizationswiththeexpertiseandreputationoftheNIMHandBHMAwillonlystrengthenaccesstohigh-qualityherbalmedicinesglobally,”saidMichaelSmith,ND,memberoftheWorldHealthOrganizationExpertAdvisoryPanelonTraditionalMedicinesandtheABCAdvisoryBoard.OtherendorsementsoftheBotanicalAdulterantsProgrambyhealthcare-orientedorganizationsincludethosefromtheAmericanAssociationofNaturopathicPhysiciansandtheCouncilofCollegesofAcupunctureandOrientalMedicine.BHMA’sendorsementalsofollowstheendorsementsofotherleadingtradeorganizations,bothinternationallyandintheUnitedStates.Internationally,theseincludetheInternationalDietary/FoodSupplementTradeAlliance(IADSA),theAustralianSelfMedicationIndustry,ComplementaryMedicinesAustralia(formerlytheComplementaryHealthcareCouncil),theAustralianTeaTreeOilAssociation,and,justrecently,NaturalProductsNewZealand.IntheUnitedStates,thetradeassociationsunderwritingtheBotanicalAdulterantsProgramincludetheConsumerHealthcareProductsAssociation,theCouncilforResponsibleNutrition,theNaturalProductsAssociation,andtheUnitedNaturalProductsAlliance.Todate,theABC-AHP-NCNPRBotanicalAdulterantsProgramhaspublishedfiveextensivelypeer-reviewedandreferencedarticlesonthehistoryofadulteration,theadulterationoftheherbsblackcohoshandskullcap,andadulterationofextractsofbilberryfruitandgrapefruitseed.Theseopen-accessarticlesareavailableontheProgram’swebpage:www.herbalgram.org/adulterants.TheProgramalsopublishesaquarterlynewsletter,“TheBotanicalAdulterantsMonitor,”thathighlightsnewscientificpublicationsrelatedtobotanicalauthenticityandanalysistodetectpossibleadulteration,recentregulatoryactions,andProgramnews.Further,theProgramrecentlyreleaseditsfirstinaseriesofLaboratoryGuidanceDocumentstohelpindustryandthird-partyanalyticallaboratoriesdeterminethemosteffectiveanalyticalmethodsfordetectingadulterationandauthenticatingbotanicalrawmaterialsandextracts.Thefirstofthesewaspublishedonskullcap,anherbsubjecttodocumentedadulteration.AdditionalpublicationsfromtheProgramarescheduledforreleaseinthecomingmonths.AbouttheABC-AHP-NCNPRBotanicalAdulterantsProgram

TwoLeadingBritishHerbalOrganizationsEndorseBotanicalAdulterantsEducationalProgram

150-Year-OldUKHerbalPractitionersAssociationandLeadingUKHerbTradeAssociationtoSupportABC-AHP-NCNPRBotanicalAdulterantsProgram,anInternationalHerbalQualityControlInitiative

(AUSTIN,Texas,Jan.29,2015)TheNationalInstituteofMedicalHerbalists(NIMH)andtheBritishHerbalMedicineAssociation(BHMA)haverecentlyendorsedtheABC-AHP-NCNPRBotanicalAdulterantsProgram,aninternationalconsortiumofnonprofitorganizations,analyticallaboratories,industrymembers,professionalscientists,andothersthatadvisesindustry,researchers,healthprofessionals,andadditionalcommunitiesaboutthevariouschallengesrelatedtoadulteratedherbsandbotanicalingredientsincommerce.NIMH,whichwasfoundedin1864andis“theUK’sleadingprofessionalbodyrepresentingherbalpractitioners,”gavenoticeofitssupportinaletterdatedDecember15,2014,fromNIMHPresidentLauraStannardtoMarkBlumenthal,founderandexecutivedirectorofthenonprofitAmericanBotanicalCouncil (ABC)andgeneralmanageroftheABC-AHP-NCNPRBotanicalAdulterantsProgram.Intheletter,Stannardsaidofthedecision:“TheNIMHishappytosupporttheBotanicalAdulterantsProgram.Inlendingournametotheprogramwehopethatotherprofessionalassociationswillfollowourlead.Theadulterationofmedicinalplantsisanissueofgraveconcernforallherbalistsandeveryoneinvolvedinherbalmedicineworldwide.”BHMA,foundedin1964,promotestheadvancementof“thescienceandpracticeofherbalmedicineintheUnitedKingdom.Itpromotestheuseofherbalmedicinalproductsmanufacturedtopharmaceuticalstandardstoensureconsistentlyhighqualityandeffectivenessfortheconsumer.”TheBHMA’ssupportforBAPwasconfirmedonJanuary7,2015.InanemailtoBlumenthal,BHMAChairmanDickMiddleton,PhD,commented:“TheBHMAisdelightedtoendorseandsupporttheABC-AHP-NCNPRBotanicalAdulterantsProgram.TheprincipleobjectivesoftheProgramarepivotaltotheongoingdevelopmentofhigh-qualityherbalhealthproductsintheUSandrelatedmarkets,includingtheUnitedKingdom.Thecorethrust oftheprograminvolvingeducationandtrainingwillalsoleadtotheincreasingglobalavailabilityofhigh-qualityherbalmaterialstoherbalproductmanufacturers.Thiswillhelptocreatemorerobust,high-qualitysupplychains.”Adulterationreferstotheaccidentalorintentionalsubstitutionordilutionofamaterialwithanundisclosedorlower-costingredient,therebygivingtheconsumerafalsesenseofthevalueorqualityofaningredientorproductcontainingsuchanadulteratedingredient.TheABC-AHP-NCNPRBotanicalAdulterantsProgramisacoalitionofthreeAmericannonprofitgroups:ABC,theAmericanHerbalPharmacopoeia (AHP),andtheUniversityofMississippi’sNationalCenterforNaturalProductsResearch (NCNPR),withmorethan130otherAmericanandinternationalpartiessupportingandcooperatingwiththeProgram.“WearemostgratefulandencouragedbythestrongshowofsupportforourProgramthatwehavereceivedfromourherbcolleaguesintheUnitedKingdom,”saidBlumenthal.

“ThereisalongandrobusthistoryoftherationalandresponsibleuseofherbsasaformofselfcareandhealthcareintheUK,goingbackcenturies.SupportforoureducationaleffortsabouthowtodetectadulterationandfraudintheherbalmarketwillnotonlyhelpenhancethequalityofherbproductsintheUK,butwillprovidegreatlywelcomeaddedimpetusandcooperationtotheinternationaleducationaleffortsofourProgram,”Blumenthaladded.NIMH’sendorsementoftheABC-AHP-NCNPRBotanicalAdulterantsProgramfollowssimilarendorsementsmadebyotherprofessionalorganizations,includingtheInternationalSocietyforMedicinalPlantandNaturalProductResearch(knownbyitsGermanacronym,GA)andtheAmericanSocietyofPharmacognosy(ASP),bothhighlyrespectedinternationalorganizationscomposedofleadingmedicinalplantresearchexperts.TheGAandASParethetwolargestorganizationsofprofessionalresearchersinthefieldofmedicinalplantsanddrugsofnaturalorigin.

“Aspeoplecontinuetouseherbalmedicines,theroleofqualifiedpractitionersinsupportingtheminmakinginformeddecisionsisessential.Thishasneverbeenmoreimportantthannowwiththeongoingchallengeofadulterationsofingredientsusedintheproducts.TheendorsementofthisprogrambyorganizationswiththeexpertiseandreputationoftheNIMHandBHMAwillonlystrengthenaccesstohigh-qualityherbalmedicinesglobally,”saidMichaelSmith,ND,memberoftheWorldHealthOrganizationExpertAdvisoryPanelonTraditionalMedicinesandtheABCAdvisoryBoard.OtherendorsementsoftheBotanicalAdulterantsProgrambyhealthcare-orientedorganizationsincludethosefromtheAmericanAssociationofNaturopathicPhysiciansandtheCouncilofCollegesofAcupunctureandOrientalMedicine.BHMA’sendorsementalsofollowstheendorsementsofotherleadingtradeorganizations,bothinternationallyandintheUnitedStates.Internationally,theseincludetheInternationalDietary/FoodSupplementTradeAlliance(IADSA),theAustralianSelfMedicationIndustry,ComplementaryMedicinesAustralia(formerlytheComplementaryHealthcareCouncil),theAustralianTeaTreeOilAssociation,and,justrecently,NaturalProductsNewZealand.IntheUnitedStates,thetradeassociationsunderwritingtheBotanicalAdulterantsProgramincludetheConsumerHealthcareProductsAssociation,theCouncilforResponsibleNutrition,theNaturalProductsAssociation,andtheUnitedNaturalProductsAlliance.Todate,theABC-AHP-NCNPRBotanicalAdulterantsProgramhaspublishedfiveextensivelypeer-reviewedandreferencedarticlesonthehistoryofadulteration,theadulterationoftheherbsblackcohoshandskullcap,andadulterationofextractsofbilberryfruitandgrapefruitseed.Theseopen-accessarticlesareavailableontheProgram’swebpage:www.herbalgram.org/adulterants.TheProgramalsopublishesaquarterlynewsletter,“TheBotanicalAdulterantsMonitor,”thathighlightsnewscientificpublicationsrelatedtobotanicalauthenticityandanalysistodetectpossibleadulteration,recentregulatoryactions,andProgramnews.Further,theProgramrecentlyreleaseditsfirstinaseriesofLaboratoryGuidanceDocumentstohelpindustryandthird-partyanalyticallaboratoriesdeterminethemosteffectiveanalyticalmethodsfordetectingadulterationandauthenticatingbotanicalrawmaterialsandextracts.Thefirstofthesewaspublishedonskullcap,anherbsubjecttodocumentedadulteration.AdditionalpublicationsfromtheProgramarescheduledforreleaseinthecomingmonths.

AbouttheABC-AHP-NCNPRBotanicalAdulterantsProgram

The ABC-AHP-NCNPRBotanicalAdulterantsProgram is aconsortiumofindependentnonprofitorganizationswhosemissionrelatestoeducation,scientificresearch,andqualityofbotanicaldietaryingredientsandrelatedplant-derivedmaterials.Theconsortiumisheadedbythreenonprofitgroupsdealingwitheducationandresearchonmedicinalherbsandotherbeneficialplants:theAmericanBotanicalCouncil,theAmericanHerbalPharmacopoeia,andtheNationalCenterforNaturalProductsResearchattheUniversityofMississippi.Theprogramisunderwrittenorendorsedbymorethan130naturalproductsindustrycompanies,independentanalyticallaboratories,contractresearchorganizations,nonprofitandprofessionalorganizations,tradeassociations,accreditedinstitutionsofeducationinnaturalmedicine,lawfirms,andmediacompanies—whichareinvolvedintheproduction,supply,manufacture,distribution,marketing,analysis,research,and/oreducationofherbaldietaryingredientsandsupplements,intheUnitedStatesandinternationally.AllpublicationsoftheProgramareavailablefree-accessonits homepage includingthe "BotanicalAdulterantsMonitor," ane-newsletterthatconveysProgramnews,regulatoryupdates,andrecentscientificpublicationsrelatedtoadulteration,contamination,identity,andauthenticityofbotanicalrawmaterials,extracts,andessentialoils.Companies,organizations,foundations,and/orindividualsinterestedinsupportingthisprogramareinvitedtocontactMs.DeniseMeikel,ABCDevelopmentDirector,at(512)926-4900,ext.120,or byemail.

UnderwritersandSupportersoftheABC-AHP-NCNPRBotanicalAdulterantsProgram(asofJan.29,2015)*

FinancialUnderwriters21stCenturyHealthcareAdvoCareInternationalL.P.AgilentTechnologies,Inc.AloecorpInc.AmenClinicsAmway/NutriliteHealthInstituteArtemisInternational,Inc.AvedaCorporationBeachbody,LLCBINutraceuticalsBioceuticalsBionoricaSEBlackmoresCapsugelCepham,Inc.ChemiNutraCNCAHealthCrilaHealthdicentra,Inc.Doctor'sBestDr.Bronner'sMagicSoapsDSMNutritionalProducts,Inc.EmersonEcologicsEnzymaticTherapy,Inc.EthicalNaturals,Inc.EuYanSangInternationalEuroMedEuroMedicaEuroPharmaFlavexNaturextrakteGmbHFoodState/MegaFoodGaiaHerbsGencorNutrients,Inc.GNC,Inc.HeliosCorp.HerbPharmHerbalifeInternational,Inc.HorphagResearchiHerbIndenaUSA,Inc.IngredientIdentityLinneaMarkanGlobalEnterprises,Inc.MartinBauer,Inc.MediHerb/IntegriaHealthcareMetagenics,Inc.NaturalFactorsNutritional Products,Inc./Bioclinic NaturalsNaturalGrocersbyVitamin CottageNature'sSunshineProductsNature'sWayNaturex,Inc.NBTY,Inc.NewChapter,Inc.TheNewFrontierFoundation Fundofthe GreaterCedar RapidsCommunity FoundationNingboGreenhealth PharmaceuticalCo.,Ltd.NovelIngredientsNOWFoodsNuSkinEnterprises/PharmanexFinancialUnderwriters(cont'd)NutritionalLaboratories InternationalOrthoMolecularProductsPacificNutritionalInc.ParagonLaboratoriesPathwayInternationalPty LimitedPerrigoCompanyPharmatokaSASPharmavite,LLCPolyphenolics,Divisionof ConstellationBrands,Inc.PureEncapsulationsRainbowLightNutritional SystemsRosenbushandZimmermanFamily FundRFIIngredients,LLCSabinsaCorporationSchwabeNorthAmericaShakleeCorpStandardProcess,Inc.ThorneResearch,Inc.TraditionalMedicinals,Inc.TriarcoIndustries,Inc.UnigenUnivera,Inc.ValensaInternationalV.D.F.FutureCeuticalsVerdureSciencesVitaminShoppeWeilLifestyle,LLCWholeFoodsMarketZMC-USATradeAssociationsAustralianSelfMedication IndustryAustralianTeaTreeIndustry Association(Australia)BritishHerbalMedicineAssociation(UK)ComplementaryMedicinesAustralia (Australia)ConsumerHealthcareProducts Association(US)CouncilforResponsibleNutrition (US)InternationalAllianceof Dietary/FoodSupplement Associations(IADSA)NaturalProductsAssociation (US)NaturalProductsNewZealand(NZ)UnitedNaturalProductsAlliance (US)Nonprofit/ProfessionalAssociationsAmericanAssociationof NaturopathicPhysiciansAmericanSociety of PharmacognosyCouncilofCollegesof Acupuncture andOriental MedicineNationalInstituteofMedicalHerbalistsPersonalizedLifestyleMedicine InstituteSociety forMedicinalPlant andNaturalProductResearch -GA Colleges/UniversitiesBastyrUniversityBoucherInstitute for Naturopathic MedicineNationalCollegeofNatural MedicineSouthwestCollegeof Naturopathic MedicineUniversityofBridgeportCollege of NaturopathicMedicineThird-PartyAnalyticalLaboratoriesAlkemistLabsAuthenTechnologiesLLCBentCreekInstituteBritishColumbiaInstituteof TechnologyChromaDexCovanceLaboratoriesEurofinsScientificInc.FloraResearchLabsNSFInternationalSpectrixLabsTampaBayAnalyticalMediaDeliciousLivingEngredeaFunctionalIngredientsHolisticPrimaryCareInformaExhibitionsUSIntegratorBlogMediaRelations,Inc.ModernHealthcarePractitionerNaturalFoodsMerchandiserNaturalProductsINSIDERNewHope360.comNutraceuticalsWorldNutraingredientsUSA.comNutritionBusinessJournalNutritionIndustryExecutiveNutritionalOutlookVitaminRetailerWholeFoodsMagazineLawFirms&RegulatoryConsultantsAminTalati&Upadhye,LLCGreenbergTraurig,LLP(James Prochnow)LawOfficeofHollyBayne,P.C.RobertForbes&AssociatesContractResearchOrganizationsKGKSynergizeMedicusResearchResearchInstitutesKoreanGinsengResearch InstituteShanghaiResearchCenterfor TCMModernization/Shanghai InstituteofMateriaMedicaof theChineseAcademyof Sciences