Advocacy Communications

Seeking to safeguard access to natural food, products and services and preserve the integrity of the current organic standards, the Organic & Natural Health Association advocates with all branches of state and federal government. Below, please find official advocacy communications submitted to various government agencies and Congress by O&N.

September 3, 2019 Comments to EPA on Glyphosate Proposed Interim Registration Review Decision

O&N submitted comments to EPA on the impact of prevalence of Glyphosate in the supply chain and its adverse impact on human health and the environment.

July 15, 2019 Comments to FDA About Products Containing Cannabis or Cannabis-Derived Compounds

O&N testified at a public hearing of the FDA on the topic of CBD.  This document is O&N’s written statement asserting that broad or full spectrum hemp extracts should not excluded from being marketed as a dietary ingredient.

May 16, 2019 FDA CFSAN Testimony

O&N testified at a public hearing of the FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, articulating its position that a concerted effort must be made by FDA to remove illegal products from the shelves of gas stations and convenience stores, that there is need for modernization of structure function claims, and calling for full transparency throughout the supply chain of genetically engineered ingredients. Click below to listen to the live testimony of Karen Howard.

Click here for O&N’s FDA Innovation Hearing – Official Comment Submission.

July 3, 2018 FDA National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard

O&N has submitted comments to the FDA on proposed regulations on the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard.  This regulation was mandated by the Congressional passage of legislation that requires federal labeling of what is commonly known as GMO or genetically engineered.  O&N believes this proposed regulation to be seriously flawed and lack transparency.

March 27, 2018 FDA Health Claim Submission for Vitamin D

O&N has submitted a petition to the FDA, requesting that the Agency permit dietary supplements containing vitamin D to make a health claim concerning the association between higher serum vitamin D levels in pregnant women and a decreased risk in preterm births.  O&N believes such a claim will help raise awareness in preterm births, reduce the cost of healthcare associated with preterm births, and empower women to take affirmative steps for the health of their children.

December 12, 2016 FDA Comments on the NDI Draft Guidance

In response to FDA’s request for comments on the Draft Guidance for New Dietary Ingredients, the Organic & Natural Health Association asserts that the process, as articulated, does nothing to support or enhance the documented safety record of the dietary supplement industry.  In fact, the advancements gained in the market since the passage of DSHEA in 1994 rendered the administrative complexity of this Draft Guidance obsolete upon its release.

May 10, 2016 FDA Comments on Defining Natural

In response to FDA’s request for comments on defining the term “natural,” the Organic & Natural Health Association submitted the results of its consumer research survey conducted in January 2015, which concluded consumers do in fact perceive “organic” and “natural” to be substantially equivalent.  It is the position of the Association that any potential standard developed for natural exceed the government’s organic criteria.

May 14, 2015 FDA Citizen Petition

This petition is submitted under 21 C.F.R. § 10.30 on behalf of the Organic and Natural Health Association (“ONHA”) to request the Commissioner of Food and Drugs to amend 21 C.F.R. Part 111, the current good manufacturing practice (“CGMP”) regulations governing dietary supplements (“Part 111”), to include persons who manufacture, process, package, or hold finished dietary ingredients (“dietary ingredient suppliers”). We also request that the FDA clarify the regulatory responsibilities of private label distributors under Part 111.

July 9, 2014 Letter to the Federal Trade Commission

In July 2014, the Organic & Natural Health Association submitted comments to the FTC in support of the claims made by iHealth, Inc. and Martek Biosciences Corp., that the dietary supplement BrainStrong™ Adult improves memory in adults or prevents cognitive decline. Further, O&N requested the FTC withdraw their Proposed Settlement against iHealth and Martek.