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Enter
Supplement Quality, Stage Right . . .
continued
The
denouement: Quality emerges as the star
Are
these fledgling projects -- to paraphrase Shakespeare -- much sound
and fury signifying nothing? Or do they have real value for the
consumer? What do they mean for the person standing in the supplement
aisle with bottle in hand, wondering which (if any) product to buy?
Accredited
quality seals can help consumers distinguish among products and
buy with confidence. Four varieties (and their corresponding "marks")
either already exist or are under development:
-
Health
claims (RDIA/LSRO) -- the health claim was reviewed by independent
scientists and accurately reflects the relationship between
the substance and the body function or disease.
-
Product
quality standards (USP or NF) -- the manufacturer certifies
that this product meets the USP standards for that product's
potency, purity, and rates of disintegration and dissolution.
-
Product
quality testing (ConsumerLab, NSF, USP) -- the product has
passed independent laboratory testing for potency (strength),
and sometimes other qualities (such as purity) as well. At the
very least, the product contains the substances listed on the
label.
-
GMP
certification (NNFA, NSF, USP) -- the product was made in
a plant that consistently uses good manufacturing practices
(GMPs) that are appropriate to the supplement industry. GMPs
are used to produce consistently high quality products from
batch to batch, lot to lot, bottle to bottle and tablet to tablet.
Curtain
calls
In
this ongoing drama, each new player enriches the story line with
its unique expertise -- and heightens the potential for synergy
rather than conflict among disparate voices in industry, regulatory
agencies, and consumers. The collaborative approach of INA, the
consensus model of NSF, the scientific standards of LSRO, NIST,
ASQ, ConsumerLab, and others -- all have valuable roles to play
as supporting actors to the central star of quality.
While
this varied cast of characters may appear to act independently,
the "unseen hand" of the marketplace will eventually serve to rewrite
their various roles. The outcome may not be orderly or consistent
with our own individual tastes, but the very fact of so many experienced
"players" mounting the quality stage at this juncture bodes well
for us all.
Sources:
Mark
Blumenthal, Executive Director, American Botanical Council. Personal
communication. September 2000.
Phillip
Harvey, PhD, Director of Science and Quality Assurance, National
Nutritional Foods Association. Personal communication. November
2000.
John
Hathcock, PhD, Vice President of Scientific & Regulatory Affairs,
Council for Responsible Nutrition. Personal communication. November
2000.
Jim
Kendzel, Vice President of Standards, National Sanitation Foundation
International. Personal communication. November 2000.
William
Obermeyer, PhD, Vice President for Research, ConsumerLab.com. Personal
communications. November 2000.
Lisa
Savin, Vice President of Business Development, ConsumerLab.com.
Personal communication. November 2000.
RDIA
& LSRO. "Standards of Evidence for Efficacy Claims for Foods and
Dietary Supplements: Role of Third Party Review." Press release
announcing conference held in Washington DC, November 13-14, 2000.
 Act
five: Ensuring product quality
Randomized, off-the-shelf testing is an essential part of quality
assurance -- but ultimately is little more than a single snapshot
. . .
 Enter
Supplement Quality, Stage Right
In the ongoing drama of controversy surrounding nutritional
supplements . . .
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