On Feb. 17, 2025, longtime American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) President Michael McGuffin died at age 73.
According to a memorial posted on the AHPA website, for 25 years, McGuffin served as the association’s president, leaving behind an indelible mark on the natural products industry through his steadfast advocacy for reasonable regulations and proactive self-governance. Beyond his professional contributions, he was a trusted mentor, a cherished friend and a pillar of the herbal community.
McGuffin served as AHPA president since 1999 and led the association through a period of remarkable growth in membership and has been a driving force behind AHPA’s record of trailblazing advocacy on behalf of its members and the wider herbal product and dietary supplement industries. Under his leadership, AHPA secured significant legislative victories—including the enactment of the Dietary Supplement and Nonprescription Drug Consumer Protection Act, a serious adverse event reporting law for dietary supplements—and produced invaluable industry resources, such as the Botanical Safety Handbook, Herbs of Commerce and numerous guidance policies and documents.
He was a leading expert on dietary supplement regulation who frequently spoke on dietary supplement regulations in the United States and abroad. He was published in numerous scholarly and scientific journals and made appearances in various news publications such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, U.S. News & World Report, and Newsweek.
He also held positions at other organizations, such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, the University of Southern California (USC) School of Pharmacy, the American Herbal Pharmacopeia, the American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, and United Plant Savers.
“Michael had a no-nonsense approach and a sharp wit, but those who knew him well also saw his kindness, generosity, and deep commitment to the herbal products industry,” said industry consultant Asa Waldstein. “Michael was like a magnolia tree, strong and rooted in deep principles. He was greatly respected, and while his exterior could seem tough, those who got to know him discovered his kindness, intelligence and humor that made him truly special.”
AHPA said it will deeply miss McGuffin’s humor, encyclopedic knowledge of herbal products, his wise counsel and his expert tomato-growing skills. The association mourns his passing, but also celebrates his remarkable legacy, which will continue to shape both AHPA and the industry to come.
“Our relationship was unique. We entered each other’s lives when I was just 17 years old, starting Alkemist Labs and navigating AHPA committee meetings and industry experts with collections of advanced degrees. Because of this, a father-son dynamic evolved, characterized by endless learning, tough love, and sometimes harsh mentorship. I am the industry advocate I am today, mainly due to Michael’s guidance,” said Elan Sudberg, CEO of California-based Alkemist Labs.
In January 2025, McGuffin stepped down as AHPA president and announced his plans to transition to a senior advisory role following the appointment of his successor. AHPA’s Director of Program Development Jane Wilson became the interim executive director on Feb. 14.
“Michael’s leadership and passion were unparalleled, and his impact on AHPA and the herbal community cannot be overstated. While we grieve this tremendous loss, AHPA remains fully committed to serving our members and carrying forward the vision and values that Michael championed,” Wilson said.
