Viva Naturals' Approach to Quality and Testing
Viva Naturals publicly asserts its commitment to supplement quality, and a significant component of this assurance is its third-party testing process. The company's "Our Process and Promise" page explicitly states that all products are tested externally after manufacturing to ensure they contain exactly what is on the label. This goes beyond the required internal testing and provides an additional layer of verification for consumers.
The testing protocols at Viva Naturals are comprehensive, beginning with internal Quality Assurance procedures and culminating in independent third-party analysis. For customers, this means they can have confidence that the product has been verified by an unbiased entity. The company also maintains that all its manufacturing facilities follow cGMPs (current Good Manufacturing Processes), which are regulatory standards for the production of dietary supplements.
Third-Party Testing vs. Third-Party Certification
It is important to understand the distinction between testing and certification, as Viva Naturals mentions both.
- Third-Party Tested: This refers to the process where a product is sent to an independent, external laboratory to verify specific qualities, such as purity and potency. The results are used internally for quality control or shared upon request.
- Third-Party Certified: This is a more comprehensive process where a product meets a specific set of standards set by a non-affiliated organization, and the product or company receives a public-facing certification seal. This often involves more rigorous testing protocols and can be publicly viewed online.
Viva Naturals utilizes both, with some product pages and FAQs highlighting specific third-party certifications.
Specific Third-Party Certifications and Standards
Viva Naturals' commitment to quality is reinforced by specific certifications on several of its products. These demonstrate that certain formulas meet specific, rigorous standards beyond general testing.
Certifications for Select Viva Naturals Products:
- IFOS 5-Star Certified: This certification, provided by Nutrasource, is mentioned for certain Omega-3 fish oil products. IFOS sets strict standards for contaminants, stability, potency, and purity of fish oil supplements.
- Nutrasource Certified: The Krill Oil, for example, undergoes third-party testing with Nutrasource for heavy metals and PCBs and has received a 5-star IKOS rating for purity and potency.
- Labdoor Quality Certified: Labdoor is another independent lab that tests and grades supplements for purity and label accuracy. Some Viva Naturals products carry this certification.
- cGMP Certified Facilities: All Viva Naturals manufacturing facilities adhere to and follow current Good Manufacturing Processes (cGMP), which are regulations enforced by the FDA. This ensures products are consistently produced and controlled according to quality standards.
- USP Safety Standards: For heavy metals and other contaminants, Viva Naturals confirms that its products are tested internally and by third parties to meet USP (United States Pharmacopeia) safety standards.
Comparison: Viva Naturals vs. Non-Tested Brands
| Feature | Viva Naturals' Approach | Generic, Non-Tested Brand |
|---|---|---|
| Purity Verification | Confirmed by independent, third-party labs for contaminants like heavy metals. | Relies solely on manufacturer's word, with no external verification. |
| Potency Assurance | External testing verifies that ingredients match label claims. | Ingredient amounts and potency may not be consistently verified. |
| Manufacturing Quality | Manufactured in cGMP-compliant facilities, adhering to strict FDA regulations. | May use uncertified facilities with inconsistent quality control practices. |
| Transparency | Clearly states testing procedures and provides details on specific product certifications. | Offers limited or no information on testing methods and verification. |
| Heavy Metal Safety | Proactively tests for heavy metals and ensures levels are below safety standards like USP and Prop 65. | May lack specific heavy metal testing, potentially containing unsafe levels. |
The Importance of Third-Party Testing
For consumers, third-party testing is a non-negotiable factor when selecting a dietary supplement. The supplement industry is not regulated by the FDA in the same way as prescription drugs, which means manufacturers are responsible for the safety and efficacy of their products. Independent testing by a third party provides the checks and balances necessary to ensure truth in labeling and safety.
For example, contaminants such as heavy metals (like lead or cadmium), pesticides, or microbial agents can sometimes be present in raw materials. Without third-party testing, there is no independent confirmation that the final product is free from these harmful substances. The presence of specific third-party seals, like those from IFOS or Labdoor, provides a quick and reliable signal of quality to consumers.
Conclusion
Yes, Viva Naturals products are third-party tested, and this practice is a cornerstone of their quality assurance process. Their comprehensive approach includes internal quality control, adherence to cGMPs, external lab testing after manufacturing, and specific product certifications from respected third parties like Nutrasource, IFOS, and Labdoor. By prioritizing both internal and external scrutiny, Viva Naturals aims to provide customers with transparent and trustworthy products that meet their labeled claims for purity and potency. This level of quality control is essential for building consumer confidence in the loosely-regulated supplement market. More information on their process can be found on their website.
