In my opinion, Project Non-GMO is the best-recognized form of non-transgenic certification. Its beautiful little butterfly logo helps consumers find products that avoid the use of genetically modified ingredients. Like certified organic ingredients, science is in favor of non-GMO products over those that I personally choose non-GMO when possible. The project's non-transgenic certification means that a product has been certified to meet the agency's rigorous supply chain standard.
This includes the direct exclusion of ingredients that contain transgenics, possible contamination during the process, traces in final products and even auditing aspects such as the feed that is supplied to animal ingredients. The best way to guarantee the quality of a product is to look for one that has been certified by an outside company. The law does not require third parties to perform tests. Vitamin and mineral supplements are subject to fairly limited regulation by the FDA.
To ensure the safety and accuracy of a product, look for supplements that have been certified by a third-party testing organization. When the FDA lacks a certification agency, third parties, such as the NSF, Project Non-GMO and the USP Step, better guarantee the quality of these products. Some of these organizations, such as the USP and the NSF, include verified or certified products on their websites. The use of the trademark is voluntary and manufacturers must first certify their products by providing detailed documentation describing the sources of all raw materials.
The National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) offers several types of certifications, including products and ingredients, GMP (manufacturing plant level) and NSF certification for sports. You can buy almost any brand of supplement you want on sites like Amazon, PureFormulas, iHerb or Vitacost. Supplements, as well as foods and beverages, that show USDA organic certification must contain at least 95% organic ingredients, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. Certified organic ingredients are grown and processed in accordance with federal requirements that describe standards for numerous factors, such as soil quality, pest and weed control, the use of additives, and livestock care practices.
To obtain IFOS certification, fish oil products with omega 3 must be tested for purity and accuracy on labels, including tests for contaminants such as heavy metals, dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Read on to learn more about third-party certifications and some of the most common certifications you might encounter when buying supplements. Buying a curcumin supplement that contains Meriva as an active form ensures a predictable experience. The USP is a strong certification, but it's rarely seen in the vitamin and supplement industry so I'm not usually obsessed with it.
The following describes some of the most common third-party certifications used by supplement manufacturers in North America. I have found that this type of certification is much less common than NSF certifications and is only found in a few brands. In addition to choosing high-quality supplements from reputable sources, third-party certifications, such as Certified Gluten Free, NSF or USP can help you make informed decisions. Products undergo an independent evaluation and an ongoing process of annual product verification to ensure that they do not contain GMOs in order to obtain certification.
