Salt Lake City, UT--In an effort to advance hemp extract product research, safety, identity and quality standards, the United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) agreement with the Hemp Industries Association (HIA). UNPA noted in a press released that cooperation between the dietary supplement and hemp industries will advance consumer confidence, as well as industry standards and regulatory compliance.

“UNPAhas spent a great amount of time and energy evaluating appropriate relationships within the hemp and cannabis community,” said Loren Israelsen, UNPA president, in the release. “Organizationally, we wanted to better understand the fundamentals of the hemp industry, including farming, processing and extraction systems.UNPAfully supports the movement to hemp and its many uses. The health benefits and consumer interest in hemp extracts, CBD and the other cannabinoids have become an important part of our work."

Israelsen added that the MOU advances these interests as the supplement and hemp industries become allies in the commercial sector and in regulatory, farm, and foreign policy areas. "We hope to help the hemp industry in its efforts to be fully compliant with food and supplement regulations, and to share our expertise in good manufacturing practices and quality compliance.”

Colleen Keahey Lanier, HIA executive director, added, “HIA members deserve to have the best information and training available to them. We look forward to sharing more information about the hemp industries, learning from UNPA and also advancing agreed-upon initiatives along the way.”

As part of the agreement, UNPA and HIA will cooperate on Food Safety Modernization Act, Good Manufacturing Practice Section 111, Preventive Controls Qualified Individual and Foreign Supplier Verification Programs training and education. The two associations also plan to participate in seminars, workshops and retreats, and to exchange information relevant to the hemp industry.

Coming up: HIA is a supporting partner to help promote UNPA’s educational training,Preventive Controls for Foods, Dietary Supplements and Botanically Derived Products and Ingredients. The training, taking place June 26-28 in Denver,  will focus on dietary supplements, foods and botanically derived ingredients used in the dietary supplement and food industry, including hemp. For additional information and to register, gohere.