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  AHPA President & CEO to keynote Gather to Grow Forest Farming Conference

  May 21, 2026   The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) is pleased to announce that AHPA President & CEO Graham Rigby will be a keynote speaker at the 2026 Gather to Grow Forest Farming Conference, October 23-25 in Blacksburg, VA. Hosted by the Appalachian Forest Farmer Coalition, the event brings together forest farmers, researchers, herbalists, and industry stakeholders for learning and networking with the community at the heartwood of forest farming in Appalachia and beyond. “I am honored to support the vital work of our longtime partners at the Appalachian Forest Farmer Coalition,” said Rigby. “Forest farming is essential to the long-term sustainability of native botanicals, and I look forward to discussing how we can collaborate to support these growers and strengthen industry supply chains.” The Appalachian Forest Farmer Coalition is currently welcoming participation and collaborative support for the 2026 program through the following opportunities: Call for Speakers & Topics: The event is accepting speaker and topic nominations to ensure a diverse, cutting-edge agenda. Industry experts and practitioners are encouraged to submit proposals. Sponsorship Opportunities: Businesses and organizations looking to support sustainable agroforestry and gain visibility among key industry leaders are invited to explore available sponsorship packages. Early bird registration for the conference is open now through July 15. AHPA encourages members and industry colleagues with interest to join us for this special event. For more information on registration, speaker submissions, or sponsorship opportunities, please visit the Gather to Grow Forest Farming Conference website.

  • Thursday, May 21, 2026
  • | Posted by AHPA
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  High Court stays FSSAI advisory banning ashwagandha leaves in supplements

  May 19, 2026 The Karnataka High Court, the highest judicial authority of the Indian state of Karnataka, has issued an interim stay on the enforcement of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) advisory that sought to ban the use of ashwagandha leaves or extracts that contain leaf in health supplements. The court's decision comes in response to petitions filed by industry stakeholders challenging the April 16 advisory, which clarified that only ashwagandha roots and their extracts are permitted under current regulations. Petitioners argued that the abrupt restriction bypassed formal regulatory amendment procedures under existing food safety frameworks and would severely disrupt longstanding manufacturing practices. The High Court granted the interim stay specifically to the petitioners involved in the case to provide temporary relief while the legal arguments are considered. The court has scheduled a follow-up hearing for June 8, to allow regulatory authorities time to file their formal objections. AHPA is closely tracking these developments alongside our Ayurvedic Products Committee to evaluate how these ongoing determinations impact the broader global marketplace. Our focus remains on supporting regulatory clarity that is grounded in sound science, ensuring a stable and reliable supply of high-quality botanical ingredients for consumers. AHPA will provide further updates as additional information from the upcoming proceedings becomes available.

  • Tuesday, May 19, 2026
  • | Posted by AHPA
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  AHPA updates four entries in the online Botanical Safety Handbook 2nd ed.

  May 14, 2026 New updates include top-selling herbs such as guarana, horsetail, and fenugreek The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) is pleased to announce updates to four botanicals via the online Botanical Safety Handbook 2nd ed. in this May 2026 release of revised entries. As of this release, 200 entries in the online Botanical Safety Handbook 2nd ed. have been updated or added.   The following online entries have been updated in this release: Equisetum hyemale (scouring rush) - A recent review identified a cytotoxicity assay for scouring rush. Equisetum spp. (horsetail) - A literature review added case reports and clinical trials for adverse event reports, animal and in vitro pharmacology studies, and toxicity studies. Paullinia cupana (guarana) - Recent review of this entry updated the Editors' Notes, added drug interaction studies, adverse event reports from clinical trials, and additional pharmacology and toxicity studies. Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek) - A September 2025 literature review added additional information to the Standard Dose, drug and supplement interactions, adverse events in clinical trials and case reports, human and animal pharmacology studies, pregnancy and lactation studies, and toxicity studies. As of 2026, AHPA members have access to the online Botanical Safety Handbook as part of the library of digital reference materials made available as a benefit of AHPA membership. For non-members, information about subscriptions and hard copy purchases can be found on the AHPA website.   Subscribers to the online Botanical Safety Handbook can review short descriptions of updated entries in the "Revisions" panel on the online version homepage when they log in. The online Botanical Safety Handbook is undergoing review of existing entries and the addition of new entries to provide the latest safety information before it can be included in the next print edition of the handbook. AHPA continues to post additional updates to existing entries as well as develop new botanical entries.   AHPA's Botanical Safety Handbook is an essential tool for anyone who manufactures, recommends, or uses herbal products. The handbook provides safety information on over 500 species of herbs, derived from data compiled from clinical trials, pharmacological and toxicological studies, medical case reports, and historical texts. All entries are reviewed by an Expert Advisory Council that includes some of the most renowned herbal and integrative medicine experts in the United States.

  • Thursday, May 14, 2026
  • | Posted by AHPA
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  2025 AHPA Annual Report reflects a "Year of Transition & Impact"

  May 13, 2026 The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) has released its 2025 Annual Report, documenting a landmark year for the association and the botanical products industry. Titled "A Year of Transition & Impact," the report details AHPA's leadership through significant regulatory shifts and legislative challenges, including securing critical enforcement discretion on DSHEA disclaimers and defending dietary supplements at the state level. It also highlights the association's strategic efforts to secure relief for members navigating the complex international trade and tariff landscape. In his message to the membership, AHPA President & CEO Graham Rigby reflected on the industry's collective strength following a year of major milestones and the loss of late, longtime AHPA President Michael McGuffin. "Reflecting on the past year, I am moved by the incredible resilience and unity of our community," said Rigby. "Michael's legacy is the garden he spent decades planting and growing — a rich landscape of advocacy, science, and stewardship. Today, that garden is ours to tend. Every initiative we undertake, every resource we share, and every connection we forge is an act of cultivation". The 2025 Annual Report is now available for download on the AHPA website. Members are encouraged to review the publication for a look at the advocacy, education, and member service initiatives that defined the past year and have continued into 2026.

  • Wednesday, May 13, 2026
  • | Posted by AHPA