Washington, D.C.– For the 23rdyear, the Natural Products Association (NPA) will honor individuals in “government and business that have made valuable contributions” to the natural products industry during theNatural Products Expo Easton September 23rdin the Baltimore Convention Center.

“The Natural Products Association is once again honored to celebrate the industry’s most prominent leaders,” said Daniel Fabricant, Ph.D, executive director and CEO of NPA, in a news release. “For more than two decades, NPA has honored the best and brightest in their field and this year’s winners build upon that proud tradition. We look forward to continuing to support and collaborate with leaders in government and business who strive to further the growth of and access to natural products for consumers.”

This year’s President Award will go to Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mo for successfully placing a provision into the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management and Economic Stability Act, which not only places Administrative Order 346 on a list for the Task Force to address to Congress in its first report by Dec. 31, 2016, but also forces the Task Force to consider the economic effect Administrative Order 346 has on the natural products industry.

Rep. Matt Salmon, R-AZ will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. Although Rep. Salmon will retire from Congress this year, he will leave behind a legacy for being a defender and pioneer of the natural products industry. Recently Rep. Salmon has spoken out against over-regulating natural products and dietary supplements in Puerto Rico.

The Socially Responsible Retailer Award, an award which recognizes an NPA member company that has excelled in multiple aspects of business such as education, volunteerism and environment, will go to Southtown Health Foods.

Jeff Novitzky, vice president of athlete health and performance for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), will be honored with the Industry Champion Award for his “notable contributions to the natural products industry above and beyond commercial success.” Novitzky first gained notoriety for uncovering the BALCO doping conspiracy and later on helping to drive the government probes to bring down Roger Clemen and Lance Armstrong and testifying at the perjury trails of Bonds and Clemens.

Posted on WholeFoods Magazine Online 9/19/2016