The Third-Party Testing Guide

Unlike drugs, supplements don't need FDA approval before being sold. The FDA only steps in after problems occur. This means companies can sell whatever they want and only face consequences if someone gets sick or they make disease claims. Quality control? That's voluntary.

Independent labs verify: 1) Identity: is the claimed ingredient actually present? 2) Potency: is the dose accurate? 3) Purity: are there contaminants (heavy metals, pesticides, bacteria)? 4) Dissolution: does it break down properly for absorption? These aren't given. Many products fail these tests.

USP (United States Pharmacopeia): Most rigorous. Pharmaceutical-grade testing. NSF International: Strong testing, especially NSF Certified for Sport (athlete-trusted). ConsumerLab: Independent testing and reviews, identifies products that fail. Informed Sport: Tests for banned substances in athletics. Each has strengths. Any certification is better than none.

ConsumerLab and others routinely find products with: less ingredient than claimed (sometimes 50% less), wrong ingredient entirely, heavy metal contamination, bacteria, or undisclosed stimulants. One review found 25% of supplements had significant quality issues. These aren't outliers. This is the industry.

Certification costs money. USP certification requires ongoing testing, facility audits, and compliance. Small companies may not afford it. Scammy companies don't want to be caught. Even legitimate companies sometimes skip certification to save costs. The seal is optional. Many choose not to bother.

Step 1: Look for USP, NSF, or ConsumerLab seals on products. Step 2: For products without seals, check if they've been independently reviewed. Step 3: Consider the company's reputation and transparency. Step 4: For important supplements (fish oil, vitamin D), prioritize certified products even if they cost slightly more.