The American Herbal Products Association: Michael McGuffin

Michael McGuffin, president, the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA), Silver Spring, MD, was honored for 20+ years of service to the association during the AHPA Annual Member Meeting and Breakfast held on March 11. Mr. McGuffin’s work with AHPA began when he joined the association as a member in the mid-1980s. He was elected to the Board of Trustees in 1990. After serving on the board for almost a decade, Mr. McGuffin was hired as its president in 1999. Under his leadership, AHPA has spearheaded the request for mandatory reporting of serious adverse events; ensured a place for dietary supplements under the scope of the National Organic Program (NOP); and provided industry with numerous self-regulatory guidances, policies and trade requirements. Including his time with AHPA, Mr. McGuffin has been a member of the natural products industry for more than 35 years. In 1974, he opened a retail store selling fresh fruits and vegetables and bulk herbs in Venice, CA, and, in 1978, he co-founded herbal products company McZand (now Zand).