The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) shared news of the passing of longtime President Michael McGuffin. He passed on Monday, February 17, 2025.

McGuffin served as AHPA President for 25 years, will be remembered for his steadfast advocacy for reasonable regulations and proactive self-governance. In a recent article for WholeFoods, McGuffin shared key insights to help guide the future of the industry, and offered hope for a united future: "The natural products industry has a history of resilience and innovation," McGuffin said. "By uniting around common goals, we can turn the challenges of 2024 into opportunities for growth and improvement in 2025 and beyond. Together, we can shape a future where natural products remain accessible, trusted, and beneficial for all."

McGuffin's professional contributions are many. He has been active in the herbal industry since 1975, according to his LinkedIn profile, having owned and managed both retail and manufacturing businesses in this field. He was the Managing Editor of Botanical Safety Handbook (1997) and of Herbs of Commerce, 2nd edition (2000). Michael also served on the boards of the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia and United Plant Savers, and as a member of the Advisory Board of the USC School of Pharmacy Regulatory Science Master's Degree Program.

McGuffin also was a trusted mentor, a cherished friend to many, and a pillar of the herbal community, AHPA shared, adding, "We will deeply miss his humor, his encyclopedic knowledge of the herbal industry, his wise counsel – and, of course, his expert tomato-growing skills. While we mourn his passing, we also celebrate his remarkable legacy, which will continue to shape AHPA and the broader industry for years to come."

Industry leaders and friends honor McGuffin

Unparalleled leadership and passion...

Jane Wilson, Interim Executive Director of AHPA, remarked on McGuffin's legacy: “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.”

Unwavering dedication and leadership...

Daniel Fabricant, Ph.D.,  President and CEO of the Natural Products Association (NPA), shared, "Michael was instrumental in advancing the goals and vision of the American Herbal Products Association. Since 1999, Michael has served as President demonstrating unwavering dedication and leadership throughout his tenure. During this difficult time, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, the team at the American Herbal Products Associations and all who had the privilege of knowing him."


Strong and rooted in deep principles...

Asa Waldstein, Principal of Supplement Advisory Group, shared, "I’ve been an AHPA member since 2003 and I attribute much of my professional success to the connections, opportunities, and lessons I’ve learned at AHPA. At the center of this was Michael McGuffin. I had the privilege of learning from Michael over the years—not just about compliance and the importance of the herbal industry but also about how the decisions we make today have lasting effects on our industry for years. This highlights Michael’s approach to being thoughtful and strategic, always protecting the guiding mission of supporting the responsible commerce of herbal products. 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. 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 the humor that made him truly special. Rest in peace, Michael; you will be missed and remembered with a warm herbal heart! ❤ We will continue to fight for herbalism, protecting the plants such as the important work AHPA has done with osha, and ensuring the herbal industry continues to flourish."


A source of enlightenment...

WholeFoods Magazine's Heather Wainer, Publisher/Chief Business Officer remarked on how many will miss Michael personally and professionally. "I always relied upon him for herbal and wine knowledge, both of which he was an expert on. I have been privileged to spend many dinners with him where we were enlightened. I also had the opportunity to visit his garden years ago and was amazed as I do not have a green thumb, but he did give me goals for some day. When he found out about our archives when NDIS where first being introduced, we were happy to help him dig in the past and help the cause. His contribution to our industry is a testament that we all should cherish with his memory. Thank you Michael."

A force of nature...

"Michael McGuffin was a force of nature," shared Elan Sudberg, CEO, Alkemist Labs and AHPA Board member. "He was my mentor, friend, and leader. The void from his passing will never be filled. He and I didn't always agree on everything, but we maintained respect, and I always welcomed his wisdom. As the old guard of our industry begins to exit, we must retain authenticity, fight for what we believe in, and be kind to each other."

Honest, transparent, and consistent...

Bill Chioffi, COO, Nammex and AHPA Board member, shared, "Great leaders are often said to have similar qualities, integrity being at the top of the list. Michael McGuffin has been a subject matter expert on herbal medicine, its commercial production and regulatory requirements since 1975 and President of AHPA since 1999. In my personal experience as a member and board member of AHPA as well as sitting with Michael on the board of United Plant Savers for many years, I learned that Michael is honest, transparent, and consistent in his actions. He also made fantastic Fig Jam from his own fruit and gifted it out, truly a sweet gift, just like Michael was to so many of us." 

Remarkable and invaluable...

"Michael was a huge influence in my becoming interested in the herbal products industry, starting in the mid-1990s when his company McZand Herbal was a client," shared Suzanne Shelton, Founder, The Shelton Group. "He got me involved in AHPA shortly after that, and we have worked closely together for many years. His knowledge of the regulatory landscape and ability to interpret and communicate about that was remarkable and invaluable. But what I will miss the most is Michael’s voice on the other end of the phone calling to catch up, dinner whenever we were in the same city, and the texts about music he liked and wanted me to hear. I will honor my friend’s legacy by continuing to actively support the trade association he dedicated so many years to."

Steadfast advocate and influential leader...

The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) issued a statement, joining the natural products community in mourning the passing of Michael McGuffin. "For more than two decades, Michael served as the president of the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA), where he was a tireless champion for consumer access, industry best practices, and broader appreciation for the role of botanicals in better health," CRN shared. "Under his leadership, AHPA played a crucial role in shaping federal and state policies affecting herbal supplements, ensuring the industry’s voice was heard in regulatory discussions. Michael was not only a leader but also a hands-on, detail-oriented advocate who immersed himself in the intricacies of regulatory language, botanical science, and industry challenges. His deep expertise and meticulous approach helped set standards that strengthened the credibility and trustworthiness of the herbal products industry. Whether dissecting policy nuances or guiding his members on compliance, Michael’s thoughtful and precise insights were invaluable. His passion for herbal medicine and dedication to the industry leave an enduring legacy. CRN extends our heartfelt condolences to Michael’s family, friends, and colleagues. His leadership, wisdom, and presence will be deeply missed, but his impact will live on in the vibrant industry he helped shape."

The ultimate gentleman and scholar...

"Michael had a wonderful way of engaging with any topic, whether controversial, complicated, or complementary. He was the ultimate gentleman and scholar," shared Karen Howard, CEO/Executive Director, Organic & Natural Health Association. "I will miss his counsel, and we will all miss the authenticity of his leadership and wealth of wisdom.”

Instrumental in building the modern herb industry...

"Michael was tireless, dedicated, passionate, and very effective and often the 'smartest guy in the room,'" shared Mark Blumenthal, American Botanical Council (ABC) Founder & Executive Director, Editor-in-Chief, HerbalGram & HerbClip, and Director of BAPP. "He was a repository of extensively detailed institutional memory of the herb industry in the United States, going back to the days of his own herb company in the late 1970s and early 1980s, when the fledgling industry was obviously much smaller and much less complex and sophisticated than it is today.

"He was a master of key information on a wide spectrum of significant issues necessary for the success of small, medium-sized, and large herb businesses. He had the ability to masterfully deal with both the forest and the trees: While being able to attend to the fine points and nuances of state and federal regulation, Michael also has wide strategic vision. His shepherding of AHPA’s leadership in numerous key industry areas – e.g., common names for plants in commerce (via AHPA’s Herbs of Commerce books) and his leadership in establishing credible information for rational and responsible safety labeling of herb products (AHPA’s Botanical Safety Handbook) – have contributed enormously to responsible practices in the herb trade and the vibrancy of the herbal products industry. 

"All companies that sell herbs and botanical ingredients in the United States owe a debt of gratitude to Michael (and AHPA) – and they should be supporting AHPA and Michael’s work and laudable  legacy.

"When the history of the herb industry in the U.S. is written – 50 or perhaps 100 years from now – Michael will be at the top of the list of people who have been instrumental in building the modern herb industry. In 2021 the American Botanical Council recognized Michael for his strong leadership in the American herb industry with ABC’s annual Mark Blumenthal Herbal Community Builder Award for his unparalleled efforts in helping to create a viable and robust herb industry and extended herbal community in the United States. The U.S. herb industry is flying its virtual green flag at half-staff in honor of Michael."

A visionary leader...

"Micheal was a visionary leader," said Beth Lambert, CEO of Herbalist & Alchemist, Inc., and AHPA Board member. "His knowledge of the plants, understanding of the regulatory framework and needs of small and large businesses gave him a unique perspective. He will be sorely missed."


The great gift of clarity of thought and opinion...

Loren Israelsen, Founder and President of UNPA, shared, "The Michael McGuffin I knew delighted in higher math, physics, and ladyslipper. His views were clear on matters, as were the lines of disagreement. (He was of Celtic descent, afterall.) He had the great gift of clarity of thought and opinion. His fondness to share a new recipe he had been working on always found its way into our business phone calls. He admired the eclectic physicians of the past century who took the best ideas and blended them into something better, because he, too, was eclectic. 
"Michael's remarkable memory for detail served us well when debates about arcane DSHEA history arose. Among his colleagues, single malt scotch was preferred, but Michael favored a fine Kentucky bourbon. A Pappy Van Winkle would suit just fine. His southern roots were never far away. His collection of rare herbals was widely admired. It seemed to me their authors were his chosen intellectual lineage. 
"He walked with equal confidence the halls of Congress, the great herb gardens of the world, and his own quiet paths known to few of us. And for a good number of years, our paths joined in cause and purpose. Herbs were his delight. AHPA was his stewardship, and his garden will miss him, as will I."

Boundless wealth of knowledge, energy, and passion....

"President McGuffin, my dear mentor, will be missed," shared Wilson Lau, President, Nuherbs and AHPA board member. "His boundless wealth of knowledge, energy, and passion applied to advocacy for our beloved herbal products industry will especially be missed. We, as an industry, must try to honor his legacy and continue advocating for better access to our treasured herbs."


I cannot have a cup of Yaupon tea without thinking of Michael...

"It's funny what comes to mind when a colleague passes," shared Wellness Industry Expert and Consultant Jacqueline Jacques, ND, FTOS, Naturopathic Doctor & Fellow of the Obesity Society. "Professionally, I knew Michael for a very long time and we had countless interactions at professional gatherings and committee meetings and such. I will never forget in one of our first meetings for the AHPA Psychedelic Committee when a group of us were struggling to define 'psychedelic' in a very scientific way and Micheal just chimed in and said 'I think this might be a one where you know it when you see it' – which certainly gave us all a good laugh.
"But really the memory I keep going to is the day about two years ago where I was sitting home working, not really having the best day, when my phone rings and I can see it's Michael calling. I was not in much of a mood to talk to anyone, but Michael had never just called me out of the blue and I assumed it was important. So I pick up the phone, and Michael just starts chatting with me. We talk about living in Southern California and what I have been doing in my consulting work, and a bit about AHPA. Then somehow get on the topic of baking and our favorite kinds of flour, and I tell him about this Montana wheat flour I have been loving and agree to send him some. 
"Anyway, after quite a while of this, just to make sure, I pause and ask, 'Michael, was there anything you needed from me today?' He says 'Not really, but are you familiar with Yaupon?' And I said 'No, I am not.' So for the next 20 or 30 minutes, he gives me an entire, very fascinating, history of the plant covering the cultural, social, and regulatory aspects from early American history to the present. And after I thanked him, and told him that was one of the most interesting things I had learned in a long time, he said 'I'd like to introduce you to the founder of a company I know who is making Yaupon Tea.'  And that was the end of the conversation. Two minutes later I had an email introducing me to Abianne Falla of Catspring Yaupon, who I am now lucky enough to call a friend. I also think it's also fair to say I have become a genuine evangelist for this plant. I have to believe that however the universe works, somehow of all the people he knew, Michael felt that I uniquely needed this story and this plant. And he was probably right. I cannot have a cup of Yaupon tea without thinking of Michael, and my world is a lot better for both of those things."


Michael will be missed by everyone who knew him...

"There are so many industry folks leaving their thoughts and experiences with Michael McGuffin," shared Sheldon Baker, CEO of Baker Dillon Group. "My story includes my two-year consulting role with AHPA as Vice President of Strategic Engagement. Together, there were positives and negatives, but we always maintained our joint vision and focused on what was best for AHPA. Eventually, I realized I was not the membership/sponsor representative Michael envisioned I would be. Once a brand marketing/PR guy always a marketing/PR guy. So I suggested we have a meeting with my good and long-time friend Amber Bennett who was seeking a new role after starting a family. I found her to always be the ultimate salesperson when she was with Virgo Publishing (now Informa) The three of us had a four-hour lunch at a Marina del Rey restaurant (Michael's backyard so to speak). He was sold! Amber left and Michael said, 'Let's make her an offer.' Since then, Amber has been a rising star at AHPA adding to the organization's financial success, and someone everyone loves. Michael McGuffin will be missed by everyone who knew him. May he rest in peace."

Wise, thoughtful, tenacious...

"Michael’s impact on the industry has been broad and he’s a true champion, legend and personal mentor," said Len Monheit, CEO of Industry Transparency Center. "It was probably 2000 or 2001 when I first met him, and he immediately came across as wise, thoughtful, tenacious and had this wry way of speaking that was at the same time a lesson and a challenge. When he decided to battle, it was game on. He was a great partner for us at NPIcenter (we built the first NDI submission database together) and we also shared many a meal, glass or bottle of things truly unique. He will be seriously missed."

A dear friend whose door & heart were always open...

"With the passing of Micheal McGuffin not only has the botanical trade lost a great leader and pioneer, those of us who knew him lost a dear friend whose door and heart were always open to anyone in need," shared Marc Ullman, Of Counsel, Rivkin Radler. "Micheal’s remarkable career in the botanical trade (not including recreational activity) spanned over a half-century starting with his role as a manager of a small produce store in Venice Beach, CA, selling fruits and vegetables to hippies, and culminating with the position of President of the American Herbal Products Association, where he would regularly walk the halls of Congress. Through it all, his boundless intellectual curiosity and devotion to his mission were obvious to all who encountered him. Equally obvious to anyone who visited Michael at his home in Venice Beach was his generosity to his community through access to his remarkable garden and the open door to his home where he regularly provided a roof over the heads of friends and acquaintances in need of shelter. He was wonderful cook and true oenophile who freely shared his food and wine with anyone who crossed the threshold of his home. I will truly miss having that next meal and great bottle of wine with him."

A respected force in the industry...

Rachel Brooker, Standards Development Lead, NSF, shared Michael's many accomplishments, including being a founding member of the Joint Committee on Dietary Supplements. "His dedication to reasonable regulations and proactive self-governance made him a respected force in the industry," Brooker said. "It is undeniable that he helped shape NSF/ANSI 173 into the comprehensive standard that it is today and his contributions will continue to live on in this standard. Michael's legacy will continue to inspire those who knew him and those who benefit from his work. All of us at NSF are so grateful to have been able to work with him. Michael definitely left a lasting impact on our mission and the public. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and colleagues."


This memoriam will be updated with more tributes in the coming days. Details on plans to celebrate Michael’s life and contributions to the herbal industry also will be shared.

Remembering industry leaders