HEALTH MATTERS
Choosing Supplements
That Hit the Mark
Article by Michael Rashed, Director of Non-Pharmaceutical Programs at USP
"Every year, the dietary supplement industry expands, thanks to increased consumer demand," Michael Rashed, Director of Non-Pharmaceutical Programs at USP, said. "As we continue navigating a growing market of health and wellness products, it's crucial for consumers to understand how supplements are regulated and to prioritize selecting products that have undergone third-party testing."
Only products that meet USP's rigorous testing, review and auditing criteria receive the USP Verified Mark. When consumers see this symbol, they know that USP has independently reviewed and tested the product to confirm it meets USP's quality standards:
* Contains the ingredients listed on the label in declared strengths and amounts
* Does not contain harmful levels of specified contaminants
* Complies with FDA Good Manufacturing Practices
* Will break down and dissolve within a specified amount of time so the dietary ingredients can be released and absorbed by the body
(BPT) - There are over 80,000 vitamins and dietary supplements on the market, but not all are created equal. Seventy-four percent of Americans take dietary supplements to improve their quality of life.[i] However, many are unaware that the quality of these products can vary greatly.
Most consumers are misinformed about how the dietary supplement industry is regulated, which can lead to inaccurate or dangerous assumptions about supplement quality.[ii] Since 1994, dietary supplements have been regulated as a category of foods, meaning that they do not require U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval before they are sold to the public. For this reason, what is listed on a supplement label may not be what is actually in the bottle. Looking for products with independent third-party verification, like those verified through U.S. Pharmacopeia's (USP) Dietary Supplement Verification Program, can offer consumers peace of mind that the supplements they consume are made up of what's listed on the label.