AHPA to Compile ODI Database

SILVER SPRING, Md.--The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) has begun work on a database designed to organize and substantiate all old dietary ingredients (ODIs) sold in the United States before Oct. 15, 1994--in contrast to new dietary ingredients (NDIs) sold after that date, as mandated in the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA). To this end, AHPA is soliciting members of the supplement industry to provide pre-1994 printed records, such as labels, product catalogues, invoices, packing lists, certificates of analysis, product specification sheets, and production or packaging records, which document the marketing or sale of individual dietary ingredients or their presence in a companys product line.

"As we approach DSHEAs 12th anniversary, we need to preserve the records that substantiate which ingredients were already in the market," stated Michael McGuffin, president of AHPA. "This will become even more important as more years pass, so now is the time to consolidate the records of the industrys historical uses."

AHPA reported it has already initiated the first stages of this program, as it is in possession of numerous dated herb catalogues from 1994 and earlier. The group further said companies that provide additional information now will receive a discount for accessing the information that will be contained in the AHPA ODI Substantiation Database.

They urged companies wishing to participate in this "call for records" please send copies of any dated materials with a date earlier than Oct. 15, 1994. "The most useful records will be those that clearly identify the ingredients included in products that were marketed in the U.S. prior to that date, in a form that would today be recognized as a dietary supplement," AHPA explained. "Records should describe the ingredient(s) in as much detail as possible. Where appropriate, you may redact the information to remove confidential or proprietary information (pricing, customer names, etc.), or request AHPA to redact it for you."

Records can be submitted to AHPA at: ODI Substantiation Database, 8484 Georgia Ave., #370, Silver Spring, MD 20910.