The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) announced that Michael McGuffin passed away on Feb. 17, 2025.

McGuffin served as president of AHPA for 25 years, “leaving an indelible mark on the natural products industry through his steadfast advocacy for reasonable regulations and proactive self-governance,” the association said in a statement. “Beyond his professional contributions, he was a trusted mentor, a cherished friend to many, and a pillar of the herbal community.”

Active in the herbal industry since 1974, having owned both retail and manufacturing businesses in this field, McGuffin was a leading expert on dietary supplement regulation and was published in several scholarly and scientific journals.

“We will deeply miss his humor, his encyclopedic knowledge of the herbal industry, his wise counsel — and, of course, his expert tomato-growing skills,” AHPA said in its statement. “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.”

Jane Wilson, interim executive director of AHPA, stated: “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.”

AHPA said details on plans to celebrate McGuffin’s life and contributions to the herbal industry are forthcoming.

For a more robust remembers of McGuffin and his impact on the modern herbal products industry, click here.