The ABC-AHP-NCNPR Botanical Adulterants Prevention Program (BAPP) announced that Informa Markets, the producer of the SupplySide conferences and trade shows, has incorporated the BAPP Best Practices SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) for the Disposal/Destruction of Irreparably Defective Articles” in its event compliance program.
 
BAPP is a collaboration of the American Botanical Council, the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia, and the University of Mississippi’s National Center for Natural Products Research, which released the SOP at SupplySide West 2022.  
 
The BAPP SOP is a voluntary set of guidelines for suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors to rid the supply chain of adulterated or contaminated ingredients and finished products, which can’t be lawfully reconditioned for their intended use. Suppliers and buyers must agree that these articles or products can’t be resold for their intended use under any circumstances due to being adulterated or contaminated with what is deemed to be an “irreparably defective article.”
 
The SOP covers foods, non-botanical dietary ingredients, cosmetics, and ingredients in OTC drug products, as well.
 
The guidelines have already been adopted by supplement brands, analytical labs, trade associations, contract manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, and others. It includes language for its inclusion in purchase agreements, and has led to the removal and certified third-party destruction of ingredients and products which both the buyer and seller agree are adulterated or contaminated in ways that can’t be lawfully remediated for intended use anywhere.
 
“This is the latest evolution of a long-standing commitment to quality and integrity at our events in our industry,” said Jon Benninger, VP and market leader at Informa Markets. “Adulteration is a global problem. I believe every company buying or selling ingredients should endorse and implement this program. I am not aware of any reason why a company in the legitimate trade would choose otherwise.”
 
“At its core, the BAPP SOP is a consumer protection oriented process, even though its language and process are obviously very industry-centric,” said Mark Blumenthal, founder and executive director of ABC and founder of BAPP. “Adulteration impacts product quality, efficacy, and sometimes even safety, and importantly, consumer trust and confidence. Informa Markets and its market-leading industry events have been involved and supportive of BAPP, including financially, from the very beginning of the program, starting in 2011. This important new announcement will greatly expand awareness, endorsement, and implementation of the BAPP SOP by responsible members of the dietary supplement industry, reducing brand and product liability across global supply networks.”
 
To find out more about BAPP SOP, a recording of a webinar by the British Herbal Medicine Association can be viewed here. BAPP SOP and its benefits will also be discussed at a SupplySide Stage presentation at this year’s event, on Oct. 31, 11:15-11:45 a.m. The session is free to all attendees.
 
The BAPP team will also be available for implementation consultations at the show. Contact ABC’s Anna Jackson at anna@herbalgram.org to reserve a meeting.