The Organic Consumers Association of Finland, MN, joined the Organic & Natural Health Association.

The American Herbal Products Association, based in Silver Spring, MD, voiced its opposition to recent U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) proposals that would change the tariff classification of some bilberry and blueberry extract powders. The group feels the new framework could put an unfair economic burden on companies and traders of these powders.

Dr. Ohhira’s Essential Living Oils from Essential Formulas, Inc., of Dallas, TX, is a “Clean Choice Award” winner from Clean Eating Magazine.

The Vitamin Shoppe of Secaucus, NJ, opened its first three stores in the Republic of Guatemala.

The January 11 edition of The Wall Street Journal published a news article about a 2015 study that found a hot drink containing echinacea was as effective as Tamiflu for treating influenza. The article also referenced a 2012 study suggesting that echinacea reduced the number of days participants had cold symptoms. Other information shared by the reporter included a note that echinacea may stop viruses from causing infections in hosts and may stimulate or prevent an overactive immune system.

National Co+op Grocers of Santa Cruz, CA and the CCOF Foundation made a $50,000 holiday donation to the Future Organic Farmer Grant Fund.

Published in WholeFoods Magazine March 2016