Understanding NOW's Approach to Quality Assurance
When asking "Is NOW supplements 3rd party tested?", the answer is nuanced: yes, many are, but it's part of a multi-layered quality control system. Instead of relying solely on external labs, NOW Foods leverages its own state-of-the-art facilities while strategically using third-party testing to provide an extra layer of assurance for specific products and manufacturing processes. This hybrid model offers a high degree of control over the entire production pipeline.
The Foundation: Extensive In-House Testing
NOW Foods possesses one of the most comprehensive in-house testing programs in the supplement industry. This capability allows them to test raw ingredients and finished products at multiple stages of production, ensuring quality from start to finish. Their world-class, ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratories perform thousands of tests every month.
- Purity: Screening for contaminants like heavy metals, pesticides, and microbial threats.
- Potency: Verifying that the supplement contains the exact amount of active ingredients stated on the label.
- Identity: Confirming that the raw materials are exactly what they are claimed to be.
- Adulterants: Specifically for their sports products, testing for banned substances, steroids, and other illegal additives.
The External Check: Strategic Third-Party Testing
While their internal testing is extensive, NOW supplements are 3rd party tested for certain assurances. This is crucial for verifying that internal processes are robust and for meeting specific external standards required by certain markets, such as professional athletics. NOW partners with reputable outside labs for specialized testing and official certifications. For consumers, this means looking for specific seals on the packaging, rather than assuming all products receive a universal external stamp of approval.
Key Third-Party Certifications Held by NOW
These external certifications are a direct answer to the question of third-party testing and provide verifiable proof of quality.
GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) Certified
NOW Foods' manufacturing facilities are audited and certified by independent third parties, such as Intertek, to meet or exceed Good Manufacturing Practices. This is a process-oriented certification that confirms that the facilities and procedures used in manufacturing consistently produce a quality product. Being audited by a third-party like Intertek ensures uniformity and continuous improvement in GMP standards, which is a major factor for consumer trust.
Informed-Sport Certification
For athletes who need guaranteed peace of mind regarding banned substances, the NOW Sports product line offers the highest level of third-party testing. The Informed-Sport seal indicates that every single production batch has been tested for over 250 banned substances by the LGC, a globally recognized assurance program. This certification is particularly valuable as it includes blind sampling at the retail level, adding another layer of accountability. Athletes and consumers can check the Informed Sport website to verify product testing. [https://sport.wetestyoutrust.com/]
Other Third-Party Certifications
NOW also secures other valuable independent certifications for its products:
- Non-GMO Project Verified: This seal, verified by an independent third-party, confirms that the product has been produced in compliance with the Non-GMO Project's standards.
- UL Certified: NOW was one of the first supplement companies to be certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) for its supplement manufacturing process, another external endorsement of its quality control.
Comparison Table: NOW Quality Assurance at a Glance
| Feature | In-House Testing (All Products) | Third-Party Testing (Specific Products/Processes) |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Extensive, daily testing covering thousands of analyses per month. | Targeted testing for specific certifications, like banned substances in sports products. |
| Method | In-house laboratories with ISO accreditation (A2LA). | Certifications from external organizations like Informed-Sport, Intertek, and Non-GMO Project. |
| Goal | Ensure product identity, potency, and purity from raw material to finished good. | Provide an extra level of independent verification and meet specific market requirements. |
| Verification | Verified by NOW's internal systems and certifications of their internal labs. | External seals and certifications visible on product packaging. |
What This Means for Consumers: Identifying Verified Products
For consumers, this means confidence in the brand's overall quality, with specific product-level verification available for those who need it most. When considering a NOW product, athletes should look for the Informed-Sport logo, while others can rely on the company's GMP-certified manufacturing processes and other seals like Non-GMO Project Verified. Healthline also notes that the brand prioritizes quality, sustainability, and transparency, and while most supplements are tested in-house, specific products are indeed tested and certified by independent organizations.
A History of Standing for Quality
NOW Foods has publicly demonstrated its commitment to quality beyond just its own products. On multiple occasions, the company has purchased and independently tested competing supplements sold on Amazon, revealing significant potency and quality issues. The company has shared these findings with both Amazon and the FDA, advocating for higher industry standards and demonstrating a commitment to consumer safety that few other brands have publicly taken on. This aggressive approach to policing the market underscores NOW's dedication to quality that extends far beyond just meeting the minimum requirements.
Conclusion: A Multi-Layered Approach to Purity
In summary, the answer to the question, "Is NOW supplements 3rd party tested?" is that while not all individual NOW supplements are third-party tested, the company's approach is robust and comprehensive. It combines extensive, ISO-accredited in-house testing with strategic third-party verification for key certifications like Informed-Sport (for athletes) and GMP (for manufacturing processes). This provides consumers with verifiable assurances of quality and safety, allowing them to choose supplements with confidence, whether they are relying on the overall manufacturing certification or a specific product's external seal.
