NOW Foods' Multi-Layered Testing Approach
When evaluating a supplement brand, understanding its testing methodology is crucial. For NOW Foods, quality assurance is not a single process but a layered system combining rigorous in-house analysis with strategic third-party verification. This approach aims to provide a high degree of confidence in the purity, potency, and safety of their products. By performing the vast majority of their tests in-house, NOW can maintain tighter control over their production and testing schedules, while using external labs to provide an additional layer of independent assurance. This strategy differs from some competitors who rely almost entirely on external testing, which can be less comprehensive or frequent.
The Bedrock of Quality: NOW's In-House Testing
At the core of NOW's quality program are its state-of-the-art, in-house laboratories. The company's significant investment in its own testing facilities is a major differentiator in the supplement industry. This capability allows NOW to perform testing at multiple stages of production, from raw material procurement to the final packaged product.
Extensive In-House Testing Capabilities
NOW's labs are equipped to perform over 31,000 analyses per month, covering a wide range of potential contaminants and ensuring ingredient identity. Their testing capabilities include:
- Identity and Potency: Verifying that the raw materials and finished products contain the correct ingredient and the stated potency.
- Microbiology: Testing for harmful microbes and pathogens to ensure product safety.
- Heavy Metals: Screening for contaminants like lead, mercury, and cadmium.
- Pesticides: Ensuring that botanical ingredients are free from harmful chemical residues.
- Adulterants: Checking for illegal adulterants, such as steroids in sports products.
ISO/IEC 17025 Accreditation
To further demonstrate the technical competence and quality of its internal labs, NOW has achieved ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation from the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA). This is a significant accomplishment that validates the precision and reliability of NOW's in-house testing methods. By holding its own labs to a global standard, NOW ensures its internal testing is as robust as that of reputable external labs.
Third-Party Verification: A Strategic and Targeted Approach
While NOW's internal testing is comprehensive, they also utilize independent third parties for specific certifications and added assurance. This is not a blanket testing program for every single product, but a strategic use of external validation for critical areas.
Informed-Sport Certification for Athletes
One of the most notable examples of NOW's third-party testing is its partnership with Informed-Sport. This program provides a high level of assurance for athletes that NOW Sports products are free from banned substances. Every production run of certified NOW Sports products is tested by the anti-doping laboratory LGC, a globally recognized body. This certification is critical for competitive athletes who must be certain their supplements are clean.
GMP Certification for Manufacturing Facilities
NOW's manufacturing facilities are audited and certified by independent third parties for compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). GMP certification, such as that from Intertek and UL, verifies that the manufacturing processes are consistent and follow industry benchmarks for safety and quality. This certifies the process of manufacturing, which is different from testing every single product batch for purity.
Other Product-Specific Third-Party Certifications
NOW also seeks additional third-party certifications for specific product attributes, such as:
- Non-GMO Project Verified: Assurance that a product has been independently verified as non-GMO.
- Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO): Confirms products meet standards for being gluten-free.
- USDA Organic: For products that meet organic farming and processing standards.
NOW vs. Typical Supplement Industry Testing
This table illustrates how NOW's quality assurance program, combining robust in-house testing with selective third-party verification, compares to the industry standard.
| Feature | NOW Foods Approach | Typical Supplement Industry Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Testing | Extensive in-house testing by ISO/IEC 17025 accredited labs. | Often relies on Certificates of Analysis (CoAs) provided by ingredient suppliers or minimal batch testing by external labs. |
| Third-Party Testing | Targeted and certified: Specific product lines (e.g., NOW Sports) and attributes (e.g., Non-GMO, Gluten-Free) are independently verified. | Limited or absent: Third-party testing is often an optional expense, and many brands forgo it entirely. |
| GMP Certification | A-rated, third-party certified manufacturing facilities, confirming process excellence. | May rely on a contract manufacturer's basic GMP status without further verification. |
| Batch Testing Frequency | Every single ingredient and finished product lot is tested in-house to verify potency and screen for contaminants. | Varies significantly; many brands do not test every batch due to cost. |
| Transparency | Provides information on their detailed testing processes, certifications, and even published their own findings on subpar competitor products. | Can be vague, with limited public information on specific testing methodologies or results. |
Conclusion: A Commitment Beyond a Single Test
In summary, the answer to "Are NOW products third party tested?" is yes, but only for certain products and specific certifications. The more comprehensive answer is that NOW Foods utilizes a dual-testing strategy. The foundation is a highly advanced, ISO-accredited internal laboratory system that performs thousands of tests every month to ensure purity and potency across their entire product line. On top of this, they strategically engage reputable third-party certifiers like Informed-Sport for their sports products and auditors for their GMP manufacturing processes, providing external validation where it matters most. For consumers, this offers a high level of transparency and assurance that their products meet rigorous standards, making NOW a reliable choice in a crowded marketplace. You can learn more about their comprehensive quality process by visiting their official website https://www.nowfoods.com/quality-safety/comprehensive-testing.
How NOW Foods Ensures Quality
NOW Foods’ testing program is a prime example of a layered quality assurance strategy. They prioritize internal control through extensive, frequent testing in their own accredited labs, then seek out specialized external certifications to cover specific claims, such as being free of banned substances for athletes. The result is a robust system designed to protect product integrity from raw material to final consumer. This approach provides a level of verification that many smaller supplement companies cannot afford or are unwilling to provide. While not every product has a third-party seal, the underlying commitment to quality is upheld across their entire range.
Taking Control of Supplement Safety
For consumers, understanding the difference between in-house testing, third-party facility certification (like GMP), and third-party product-specific certification (like Informed-Sport) is key to making informed decisions. NOW's commitment to openly sharing their testing strategy allows customers to assess their level of comfort with the brand's quality controls. This transparency is particularly valuable in an industry where regulatory oversight for supplements is not as stringent as it is for pharmaceuticals. By doing the legwork internally and supplementing it with external validation, NOW Foods sets a high bar for accountability and product integrity.
