The Natural Products Association History
Timeline
A Look Back...
1936
A small group of suppliers of natural food ingredients form an organization to better inform consumers about the benefits of the natural nutrition industry. The group is called the American Health Foods Association (AHFA, which after several name changes over the years will become the Natural Products Association).
The inaugural issue of Health Food Retailing is published. Some consider it the first publication of the nascent nutrition industry. In February, 1939, it declares itself the official publication of the association.
1937
AHFA holds its first convention at the Auditorium Hotel in Chicago, where 150 health food industry people gather. The association makes the transition from a consumer group to become the Natural Health Foods Association (NHFA) representing retailers, manufacturers and distributors.
1938
The association holds its second trade show. Held at the Hotel Sherman in Chicago, the convention attracts more than 1,000 consumers and industry members.
Congress passes the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, which is the first regulation to establish labeling requirements and daily minimum requirements for several vitamins and minerals.
1943
NHFA becomes the National Dietary Foods Association (NDFA).
1946
The Natural Products Association (then the NDFA, or National Dietary Foods Association) holds its convention at the Hotel Continental in Chicago. An educational highlight is a detailed explanation of the food and drug regulations by Ralph R. Kneeland, a representative from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
1951
The annual convention, held in the Hotel Book-Cadillac in Detroit, showcases nearly 100 exhibitors and more than 300 attendees. At the convention, results of a survey of health food retailers are released and reveal that vitamins and minerals make up 34 percent of the profits, while "dietetic" foods comprise 26.5 percent.
1953
At a pharmacists' convention in Philadelphia, attendees vote to press for legislation making all vitamins, minerals, and food supplements available only in drug stores.
1955
The PELLL, or Public Relations, Education, Legal, Legislation and Lobbying, program is unanimously adopted to counter attacks against industry in the media and public spheres and harmful legislation that had appeared in the last few years in Minnesota, New Jersey, and New York.
Adelle Davis, a nutritional pioneer and eventual author of several books on nutrition, addresses the industry for the first time.
1957
It is reported that a Minnesota law requiring vitamins to be sold in pharmacies has been overturned. Vitamins can now be sold in any food store in that state.
1958
Regional health food associations have notably grown by now. Three of the most active, the Northern California Nutritional Foods Retailers Association; the Southern California Nutritional Association, and the Northwest Dietary Foods Association, hold the West Coast Dietary Foods Fair in Portland, Ore.
The Food Additives Amendment to the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act is passed. It includes restrictive measures such as prohibiting the use of several minerals in supplement preparations.
1962
At the annual convention, the Natural Products Association (then the NDFA, or National Dietary Foods Association) members are warned of the threat of proposed FDA regulations, which would severely restrict industry. The law firm of Bass & Friend, headed by industry advocate Milton Bass, Esq., is retained to represent NDFA in the fight against these regulations.
1965
In a speech before the U.S. Senate, Sen. Edward V. Long (D. Mo.) says, "If the FDA would spend a little less time on...small manufacturers of vitamins...and a little more on the manufacturers of dangerous drugs...the public would be better served."
1969
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) publishes proposed regulations for labeling and content of dietary supplements; however, public opposition forces further hearings that last into the early 1970s.
The Natural Products Association (then called the National Dietary Foods Association) merges with the American Dietary Retailers Association.
1970
At the annual convention in New Orleans, the National Dietary Foods Association officially becomes the National Nutritional Foods Association.
1972
Sen. William Proxmire, a long-time health advocate, delivers the keynote address at the Natural Products Association's annual convention in Washington, D.C.
1973
FDA publishes final regulations classifying any supplements stronger than 150 percent of the Recommended Daily Allowance as drugs.
1976
After years of debate over nutritional supplements, Congress passes the Proxmire Bill prohibiting the FDA from regulating vitamins and minerals as prescription drugs. The bill represents a major defeat for the FDA, which worked to repeal the bill.
1990
President Bush signs into law the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act (NLEA) which is intended to improve nutritional information regarding health claims made for products. The FDA is given the job of implementing the law, but because of its broad wording, the agency capitalizes on the opportunity to over-regulate safe and beneficial nutritional products.
1992
The Health Freedom Act is introduced in the Senate along with a similar bill in the House of Representatives to protect the rights of U.S. citizens to choose safe and effective dietary supplements.
To allow for further study of nutritional labeling of dietary supplements, an NLEA Moratorium is enacted in late 1992, postponing implementation of the act.
1994
Passage of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) creates a new framework for regulation of dietary supplements by the FDA.
1996
The White House Commission on Dietary Supplement Labels issues its report on the future regulation of this product category.
1997
The FDA publishes regulations for structure/function claim notification.
Congress includes in the Food and Drug Modernization Act a provision allowing dietary supplements to make health claims.
1999
FDA regulations require that a "Supplement Facts" panel appear on dietary supplement labels.
