What Does "Natural" Mean?

"Natural" means, literally, from or according to nature. In the context of the NC Natural Products Association's mission and operations, a "natural" product has its natural chemistry and properties fully intact and directly traceable to raw natural sources.
 
A natural product may be cleaned, filtered, blended, extracted, distilled, colored, refined, flavored, sweetened, preserved, and even sterilized naturally. But in no part of the process should the product or process be exposed to toxins, radiation, chemical synthesis, or genetic engineering.

Upcoming Event!

Ginseng Expo
Asheville, NC
December 7 and 8, 2012
more information forthcoming

Article on Non-timber Forest Products

Many of the natural products that our industry deals with are non-timber forest products. Here is a link to a recent article in the Washington Post about the non-timber forest products industry:
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Our Mission and Purpose

Mission:
The North Carolina Natural Products Association was formed to establish North Carolina as a key global supplier of premium-quality plant-based natural medicines, organic products, functional foods, personal care products, and healthy lifestyle options. The association will achieve this mission through educating its member growers, manufacturers, service providers, and affiliates in academia and government, about North Carolina's burgeoning role and opportunities in the global natural products economy, and by continually elevating the quality standards, sustainability, and practices of its members.
 
Purpose:
  • Educate individuals, agencies, and organizations about the North Carolina's natural products industry.
  • Promote North Carolina grown and manufactured natural products.
  • Bring together farmers and the natural products industry to explore growing and marketing opportunities.
  • Encourage conservation and stewardship of North Carolina's botanical resources.
  • Promote North Carolina as one of the leading producers of safe, natural therapeutic products and services.
  • Monitor and disseminate information on regulatory measures pertaining to the natural products industry.
  • Sponsor conferences and regional workshops.
  • Encourage safe, effective, and high quality natural products manufacturing standards.
  • Alert supporters to emerging opportunities in the natural products industry.