As the dietary supplement industry has evolved and matured, research and development teams have discovered novel nutraceuticals and fine-tuned processing technologies. Analytical testing methods have expanded as well to ensure that what’s listed on the label is actually in the product. Ultimately, understanding and applying methods that are fit for their intended purpose will help to validate quality controls.
Testing in the supplements industry has grown more sophisticated over the years, according to John Travis, senior research scientist, NSF International. “New techniques and instrumentation developed by researchers and instrument manufacturers have expanded the analyst’s toolbox. Commercialization of next generation DNA sequencing and high resolution mass spectrometry have brought capabilities that were once only available to researchers into production laboratories. I believe the supplement industry has become more technically savvy as well. I no longer get blank stares when I use acronyms like HPLC, MS, and GC during seminars and presentations.”
Elan Sudberg, CEO, Alkemist Labs, said he believes greater focus on Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) compliance has fueled a steady increase in testing over the 20 years that his company has been testing products in the nutraceuticals industry. “It has not been a straight path; there have been many ups and downs along the way due to various adulteration challenges, hyped ingredients that cause supply and demand disruptions, which open the door to adulteration, and major recalls.”
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