Everybody wants to certify dietary supplements
Will different certification programs and seals of approval help consumers select the highest quality supplements or just add to the confusion?
We probably won’t know for a while. In the mean time, here are three players in the field.
- Buys competing items in stores
- Analyzes products to determine if they contain what the label declares, whether there are contaminants, and how they degrade or dissolve
- Offers a seal to companies willing to enter a licensing agreement
- Consumers get limited info for free, and pay a membership fee for greater access
- For profit
NSF and NNFA
- NSF International (originally the National Sanitary Foundation) combined with the National Natural Foods Association (NNFA)
- Evaluates a company’s good manufacturing procedures
- Analyzes products to determine if they contain what the label declares, and whether there are contaminants
- NNFA represents retailers, manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors of natural products, including foods, dietary supplements, and health/beauty aids
- Non-profit
USP
- The USP (United States Pharmacopeia) dietary supplements certification program
- Evaluates a company’s good manufacturing procedures
- Conducts company record audits
- Analyzes products to determine if they contain what the label declares, and whether there are contaminants
- Products that pass the test get the USP certification seal
- Subsequent testing assures that products remain in conformity
- Non-profit
Another group called SIDI (Standardized Information on Dietary Ingredients) is profiled here.
11/21/06 22:25 JR