The news was announced by AHPA, the organization he led for 25 years. The association said he “leaves an indelible mark on the natural products industry through his steadfast advocacy for reasonable regulations and proactive self-governance. Beyond his professional contributions, he was a trusted mentor, a cherished friend to many and a pillar of the herbal community.
“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,” AHPA stated.
Michael McGuffin was born in 1951 in Louisville, KY and joined the herbal industry in 1974. Prior to joining AHPA, he owned both retail and manufacturing businesses in this field.
During his time at AHPA, McGuffin served as a member of FDA’s Food Advisory Committee Working Group on Good Manufacturing Practices for Dietary Supplements (1998-1999), FDA’s Food Advisory Committee’s Dietary Supplements Subcommittee (2003-2005), California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Analysis Food Warning Workgroup (2008-2010) and the Advisory Board of the USC School of Pharmacy Regulatory Science Master’s Degree Program.
Tributes
Roy Upton, president of the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia, described McGuffin as a long-time dear friend.
“He had one of the sharpest minds of anyone I knew,” he said. “What he knew, he knew very well. What he did not know, he admitted he didn’t know, and what he needed to know, he learned. His moderation of AHPA committee members was always masterful, and he was always prepared for what was to be discussed. There was no fluff with Michael—never any self-aggrandizing. He was always focused on the task at hand; very much solution oriented. He did his work relatively quietly and without fanfare. Getting a job done was all the reward he really needed; he did not need to have his ego stroked so people knew how good he really was.
“As people contemplate his passing, I believe they will reflect on what he actually accomplished and be in awe of the quiet manner in which he did it. AHPA has their hero(s) of the year award—Michael has been AHPA’s true hero for a quarter of a century. An incredible legacy has been left by an incredible human being.”
Mark Blumenthal, founder and executive director of the American Botanical Council, said Michael was “tireless, dedicated, passionate and very effective and often the ‘smartest guy in the room’. 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,” Blumenthal added.
“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.”
‘The great gift of clarity’
Loren Israelsen, founder and president of the United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA), issued a statement in which he said the Michael McGuffin he knew “delighted in higher math, physics and lady slippers.”
“His views were clear on matters, as were the lines of disagreement. (He was of Celtic descent, after all),” Israelsen wrote. “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. His garden will miss him, as will I.”
Elan Sudberg, CEO of Alkemist Labs and long-time AHPA member, described McGuffin as, “my good friend, mentor and Herbal Hero… He fought valiantly, but in the end, cancer won, and we all lost an irreplaceable individual.”
In a post on LinkedIn, Sudberg wrote: “Our relationship was unique. We entered each other’s lives when I was just 17 years old, starting Alkemist Labs and navigating AHPA committee meetings and industry experts with collections of advanced degrees. Because of this, a father/son dynamic evolved, characterized by endless learning, tough love and sometimes harsh mentorship. I am the industry advocate I am today, mainly due to Michael’s guidance.”
Daniel Fabricant, PhD, president and CEO of the Natural Products Association, said McGuffin 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.”
“Michael was a wealth of knowledge, full of passion, and anyone who had the privilege of working with him knew the depth of his expertise, dedication, and commitment to bettering our industry,” said Raza Bashir, Chief Innovation Officer, Iovate Health Sciences International Inc. “He will be deeply missed by all of us.”
‘A hands-on, detail-oriented advocate’
The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) issued a statement that described McGuffin as “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.
“His leadership, wisdom, and presence will be deeply missed, but his impact will live on in the vibrant industry he helped shape.”
NutraChampion
McGuffin was named the 2024 NutraChampion by NutraIngredients-USA editorial team, an award that recognized his leadership, passion and commitment to the herbal industry at all levels.
In an acceptance speech delivered via video, McGuffin said: “Many of you are familiar with the details of my professional arc in the herbal industry from selling herbs at retail to manufacturing and marketing a line of herbal extracts to serving as AHPA President since 1999. This is what I do. This is who I am.”
McGuffin noted that the NutraChampion Award is dedicated to the celebration of our industry’s biggest champions and heroes, those who spend their careers driving new standards and policies, increasing public knowledge and interest in nutrition or pushing for ingredient innovation.
“I hope you will all agree with me that many of these points accurately describe what I do and who I am,” he said. “I’m not being very humble here. Frankly, there will be other times for humility, but today I’m reminded of a colleague who was not at all receptive when I informed him last year that he was going to receive an APHA award. Here’s what he said to me: I don’t need another bauble to crowd my mantelpiece. But the NutraChampion Award is not a mere bauble. Its recipients make unique contributions. That’s what they do, and they are focused on these throughout their careers. That’s who they become.
“I hope by receiving the 2024 NutraChampion Award to inspire any of you who would like to achieve this acknowledgement in the future and to encourage you to clarify and define the work that you do to do that work in service to the trade and to the public. And to do so boldly so that we all see that that’s who you are.”
