NNFA Changes Name to Natural Products Association

LAS VEGAS—National Nutritional Foods Association (NNFA) members voted overwhelming approval to change the group’s name to the Natural Products Association (NPA), at the association’s annual trade show here and amidst its 70th anniversary. According to the newly monikered NPA, the new name more accurately describes the organization’s diverse membership base and positions the association to keep pace with the dynamic natural products marketplace.

“Our new name not only reflects the breadth of our existing membership, but it also recognizes the association’s position as the overarching trade organization for the natural products industry,” said David Taylor, NPA president. “Along with our recently adopted mission and vision statements, our name change will allow us to emphasize that we really are the ‘big tent’ organization for retailers and suppliers of natural products.”

Taylor reported a comprehensive, strategic re-branding campaign launched over the next few months will eliminate any confusion amongst its stakeholders—including members, potential members, legislators and the media—about the association’s name change and ongoing mission. “From an advocacy perspective in particular, our new name gives us a great opportunity to emphasize our broad base of support, not only from our membership, but from the millions of consumers who use natural products,” he added.

Also at the trade show, the organization announced the expansion of its TruLabel random testing program to provide assurance to consumers that sports supplements contain exactly what is on the label, and are without traces of banned steroidal and stimulant ingredients. The NPA’s 15-year-old TruLabel random testing program is one of the industry’s oldest and most successful self-regulatory programs.

“The notion that dietary supplements contain unlisted ingredients that are responsible for positive steroid and other banned substance tests is simply wrong. It’s unfair to the responsible manufacturers who make these products and the athletes they benefit,” said Daniel Fabricant, Ph.D., vice president of scientific affairs. “By testing products through our TruLabel program we’re looking to provide sound evidence that our member manufacturers are committed to providing quality and uncompromised results for their customers.”

Information about the NPA and its new and ongoing work in the industry can be found online at its updated Web address: www.naturalproductsassoc.org (formerly www.nnfa.org).