The Natural Products Association And Its Advocacy
The Natural Products Association or NPA is America's largest non-profit organization that represents the natural products industry. The organization which was founded in 1936 is dedicated to promote the interests of its over 1,900 members composed of manufacturers and retailers of natural products. NPA boasts of its diverse association which includes not just big manufacturers of dietary supplements but also small health food vendors.
What are natural products? Natural products have been defined as products that are formulated sans artificial ingredients and that are plainly and minimally processed. These include a variety of consumer products such as organic food, health and beauty aids, dietary supplements, pet food, sports nutrition products, environment-friendly cleaning supplies and more.
The Natural Products Association fights for the rights of all Americans to have access to products that would improve their health and well being. At the same time, NPA promotes the rights of retailers and manufacturers to sell these natural products to the public.
The Natural Products Association has indeed come a long way. It was originally founded as the American Health Foods Association with the objective of informing consumers about the importance and benefits the people can derive from the natural nutrition industry. The association changed its name to Natural Health Foods Association in 1937 and then to Natural Products Association in June 2006.
One of the association's numerous accomplishments is its success in educating both legislators and the general public about the importance of the natural products industry. NPA is proud to say that its advocacy efforts are responsible for making the association an authority in the natural products industry. The Natural Products Association has introduced its ideals to new members of the American Congress through briefings, one-on-one meetings, and programs like the Annual Natural Products Day.
NPA has contributed in shaping the Food Safety Bill and has defended the dietary supplements from unfounded accusations brought about by some illegal or inappropriate actions by a few products or businesses not related to NPA.
NPA's information campaign has likewise successfully reached the general public through major media outlets. The association has made it a point to be accessible to the media regarding issues that concern the natural products industry. NPA also made its presence felt in popular social networking site like Facebook and Twitter.
The association has stressed that its purpose has not changed since it started its advocacy 75 years ago and that it will continue to work harder for the next 75 years or more.
