NPA Continues Expanded Effort on What Retailers May Say to Customers

WASHINGTON, D.C. ? The Natural Products Association (NPA) is offering another resource to help retailers stay within the legal limits of dietary supplement claims. The NPA Retailer?s Staff Education Toolkit can be used to educate retail staff about what should and should not be discussed with customers. The toolkit also contains customer-friendly materials for stores.

?The Natural Products Association continues to provide relevant and up-to-date information about the legal parameters of claims about dietary supplements,? said John Gay, NPA executive director and CEO. ?Retailers need to be aware of what may be said to customers about dietary supplements and their use, or they may find themselves facing fines or other legal action. NPA is leading the way so that retailers stay within the law.?

The toolkit is currently available only to NPA members, though the association plans to provide a version of the toolkit for all retailers. Learn how to join NPA at www.npainfo.org.

Retailer resources include:

• FDA handbook that explains government regulations and permitted information about dietary supplements. It also provides guidance on how to handle FDA inspections and what third-party information may be given to customers.

• Brochure with a summarized version of the most important areas covered in the handbook.

• Wallet card that staff can use for quick reference on the key points to remember when discussing dietary supplements.

Customer resources include:

• Shelf talker that details the type of verbal and print information customers can expect to receive.

• Flyer with a brief overview of federal regulations for dietary supplements and the information that can be offered in the store.

• Poster that tells how staff may help them.

NPA will continue to assist retailers in other ways, including live sessions at trade shows, webinars and teleconferences; partnerships with industry media; and regular content for sales staff in NPA publications. For more information about NPA and dietary supplements, visit www.npainfo.org.