Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1936 | Suppliers of natural food ingredients form the American Health Foods Association (AHFA), which, after several name changes, will become the Natural Products Association. |
| 1937 | AHFA holds its first convention with 150 people from the health food industry. The association transitions from a consumer group to become the Natural Health Foods Association (NHFA) representing retailers, manufacturers and distributors. |
| 1943 | NHFA becomes the National Dietary Foods Association (NDFA). |
| 1969 | NDFA merges with the American Dietary Retailers Association. |
| 1970 | At the annual convention, NDFA becomes the National Nutritional Foods Association (NNFA). |
| 1994 | Congress passes the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), creating a new framework for regulation of dietary supplements by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). |
| 1997 | NNFA holds its first annual advocacy event, Natural Products Day, in Washington, D.C. |
| 1999 | NNFA launches the first third-party Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certification program for the manufacturing of dietary supplements and ingredients. |
| 2006 | At the annual convention and trade show, NNFA changes its name to the Natural Products Association (NPA). |
| 2007 | NPA launches a raw materials testing program for Chinese products. |
| 2008 | NPA launches the Natural Standard and Certification Program for Personal Care Products. |
| NPA establishes the Natural Products Foundation (NPF), whose mission is to promote and facilitate research and education related to natural products for the benefit of consumers and industry. | |
| 2010 | NPA launches the Natural Standard and Certification Program for Home Care Products. |
| NPA grants the 500th certification to products and ingredients under the NPA Natural Seal. |
Read more about this topic: Natural Products Association