Is Blackmores Third Party Tested? An In-Depth Analysis of Quality and Safety

November 22, 2025 •

3 min read

Blackmores reports that it commissions independent chemical and microbiological testing at GMP-licensed laboratories for all its products. This directly answers the consumer question: is Blackmores third party tested, and sheds light on the company's multi-layered quality assurance processes beyond its extensive internal checks.

Quick Summary

Blackmores employs third-party testing through independent, GMP-licensed laboratories for all products, alongside strict internal quality control and adherence to Australia's TGA regulations.

Key Points

Yes, Blackmores uses third-party labs: The company explicitly states it commissions independent chemical and microbiological testing at GMP-licensed laboratories for all products.
TGA regulations set a high standard: As an Australian company, Blackmores adheres to strict Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) regulations, which treat complementary medicines with pharmaceutical-level scrutiny.
Internal and external checks are used: Independent testing complements Blackmores' extensive internal quality control system, which includes over 30 checks per product and ongoing stability monitoring.
Specific examples confirm testing: Blackmores fish oil is independently tested for contaminants like mercury, and some products feature QR codes for third-party authenticity verification via Trustcodes.
Quality testing differs from efficacy research: Some critics have pointed to lower spending on efficacy research in the past, but this is separate from the documented third-party testing for quality and safety.
Ethical sourcing is also verified: Third-party partnerships with organizations like the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) help verify ethical sourcing, particularly for ingredients like fish oil.
Batch traceability is available: For certain products, unique QR codes allow consumers to trace the product's origin and verify its authenticity via a third-party platform.

Blackmores' Confirmed Use of Independent Testing

Yes, Blackmores products are third-party tested. The company's official quality and safety pages explicitly state, "We also commission independent chemical and microbiological testing at GMP-licensed laboratories for all our products". This external verification process is a crucial component of their overall quality assurance strategy, adding an extra layer of scrutiny and consumer confidence that products meet stringent standards for purity, safety, and accurate dosage.

The Australian Regulatory Framework: The TGA Advantage

As an Australian company, Blackmores operates under the strict regulatory oversight of the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Australia regulates complementary medicines similarly to pharmaceuticals, requiring products to meet high legal standards for quality and safety before market release. This includes compliance with international GMP standards. While the TGA provides a strong baseline, Blackmores' independent testing offers additional assurance.

Blackmores' Internal Quality Control Measures

Beyond independent testing, Blackmores has a comprehensive internal quality control system. This includes:

Sourcing ingredients from approved suppliers according to a strict policy.
Conducting over 30 quality tests throughout the manufacturing process.
Retaining samples from every batch for continuous monitoring.
Regularly auditing manufacturers and suppliers to ensure compliance.

Specific Examples of Third-Party Verification

Blackmores highlights specific instances of independent testing:

Fish Oil Purity: Independent testing verifies EPA and DHA levels and checks for contaminants like mercury, plasticisers, dioxins, and pesticides in Blackmores fish oil products. Membership in the Global Organisation for EPA and DHA Omega-3s (GOED) also reflects their commitment to quality.
Infant Nutrition Authentication: Blackmores infant nutrition features a "Blue dot technology" with QR codes linking to Trustcodes, an independent 3rd party verification website, allowing consumers to trace and authenticate products.

Comparison Table: Independent vs. Internal Testing at Blackmores


Feature	Internal Testing	Independent (Third-Party) Testing
Conducted By	Blackmores' own Quality Assurance team and internal labs.	External, GMP-licensed laboratories commissioned by Blackmores.
Purpose	To ensure every step of manufacturing meets rigorous company and regulatory standards.	To provide an objective, external verification of a product's final chemical and microbiological profile.
Regulatory Role	Fulfills many TGA compliance requirements regarding manufacturing standards.	Provides additional data beyond mandatory requirements, verifying the final product's quality.
Testing Volume	Covers over 30 quality checks and ongoing stability monitoring for every product batch.	Typically involves specific chemical and microbiological tests on final product batches.
Examples	Auditing suppliers, in-process checks, batch retention, stability testing.	Contaminant testing for fish oil, QR code authentication for infant formula.

Addressing Criticisms and Building Trust

While Blackmores confirms third-party quality and safety testing, some past criticisms exist concerning research into product efficacy, as noted in a 2018 article. However, the company distinguishes this from ingredient and final product testing. Blackmores has also established the Blackmores Institute for natural health research. A 2022 report from The Guardian mentioned quality control complaints for a subsidiary's product, but this does not invalidate the company's stated policy on independent quality testing for all products. The company's testing protocols are consistent with premium supplement standards, requiring continuous effort to maintain consumer trust.

Conclusion

Blackmores does use third-party testing to ensure product quality and safety. Their adherence to strict Australian TGA regulations, combined with internal quality control and independent testing by GMP-licensed laboratories, provides multiple layers of assurance for consumers. Examples include independent testing for contaminants in fish oil and authenticity verification for infant formula via a third-party platform. While past criticisms about efficacy research exist, Blackmores' public information confirms their commitment to third-party quality and safety testing.

Resources

For more details on Blackmores' quality control processes, refer to their official statements on their website. Read about Blackmores' Quality & Safety

Note: It is always advisable to consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice regarding supplements.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be medical advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Blackmores commissions independent chemical and microbiological testing for all of its products using GMP-licensed laboratories to ensure quality and safety.

For specific product ranges like infant formula, Blackmores uses a 'Blue dot technology' with a unique serialised QR code. You can scan this code to connect to an independent third-party verification website provided by Trustcodes.

Yes, every batch of Blackmores fish oil is independently tested multiple times for EPA and DHA levels and to ensure it is free from contaminants like mercury, dioxins, and pesticides.

The TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration) is Australia's regulatory body for medicines. Blackmores products must comply with the TGA's strict standards, which are on par with pharmaceutical regulations and include GMP compliance, setting a high baseline for quality.

Third-party testing primarily verifies a product's quality, purity, and safety, confirming it contains what is stated on the label and is free from contaminants. Efficacy is a separate matter, though Blackmores does support claims with scientific findings.

In 2022, a report from The Guardian detailed allegations from a former employee concerning the handling of complaints for a specific product from its subsidiary BioCeuticals. However, this does not override the company's general policy of using independent testing for quality assurance.

Blackmores engages in partnerships with third-party organizations like the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) to ensure that key ingredients, such as marine oils, are sourced sustainably.