Is Carlson Labs Third-Party Tested? A Guide to Their Certifications

December 24, 2025 •

2 min read

According to the company, Carlson Labs was founded in 1965 with a mission to create high-quality nutritional supplements. Today, they continue this legacy by ensuring many of their products undergo rigorous third-party testing for purity, potency, and freshness, offering consumers transparency and peace of mind.

Quick Summary

Carlson Labs utilizes several reputable third-party certification programs, including IFOS, IGEN, and Friend of the Sea, particularly for their omega-3 fish oils. These external evaluations verify products for potency, purity, and sustainable sourcing, validating the brand's quality claims.

Key Points

Third-Party Certified: Yes, Carlson Labs utilizes several third-party certification programs, particularly for its omega-3 fish oils.
IFOS Rated: Many Carlson fish oil products have achieved a five-star rating from the International Fish Oil Standards (IFOS) program, verifying their purity and potency.
Sustainability Certified: The brand's omega-3s are certified by Friend of the Sea (FOS), confirming their commitment to sustainable sourcing practices.
Non-GMO Verification: An IGEN non-GMO icon can be found on many tested Carlson products, assuring consumers that they are free from genetically modified organisms.
Beyond Internal Testing: Carlson Labs complements its own rigorous in-house testing, conducted in an FDA-registered lab, with independent, third-party verification for maximum quality assurance.

Understanding the Importance of Third-Party Testing

Third-party testing is crucial for nutritional supplements, verifying contents and ensuring products are free from harmful contaminants like heavy metals, PCBs, and dioxins. This external verification builds consumer trust and provides an added layer of quality assurance.

Why Carlson Labs Relies on External Verification

While conducting its own testing in an FDA-registered laboratory, Carlson Labs actively seeks third-party verification for many products, especially omega-3 fish oils. This practice demonstrates a commitment to transparency and quality, providing concrete proof of quality claims.

Carlson Labs' Key Third-Party Certifications

Carlson Labs is transparent about its third-party certifications, which include:

International Fish Oil Standards (IFOS): A leading program for fish oil supplements, providing a five-star rating based on tests for purity, potency, and freshness. Many Carlson Labs fish oil products have received a five-star rating.
International GMO Evaluation and Notification (IGEN): This program tests for the presence of GMOs. IGEN-verified products carry a non-GMO icon.
Friend of the Sea (FOS): A non-profit dedicated to marine habitat conservation, certifying sustainable fishing and responsible sourcing practices. Carlson Labs' omega-3 products hold FOS certifications.

Internal and External Testing: A Quality Assurance Synergy

Carlson Labs' quality assurance combines internal and external testing to ensure products are fresh, pure, and potent. In-house testing verifies ingredient identity and concentration, while third-party certifications provide independent validation of standards, including sustainability and non-GMO status.

A Comparison of Certifications and Quality Assurance

Here is a comparison of what different seals of approval signify for Carlson Labs products:


Certification	Focus Area	Carlson Labs Status	What It Verifies
IFOS (International Fish Oil Standards)	Omega-3 Fish Oil Purity & Potency	Multiple five-star ratings	Potency, freshness, purity (contaminants like mercury, PCBs)
IGEN (Non-GMO Verification)	GMO Content	IGEN certification for many products	Absence of genetically modified organisms
Friend of the Sea (FOS)	Sustainability & Sourcing	Certified status for omega-3s	Ethical, sustainable sourcing practices for marine ingredients
Superior Taste Award (iTQi)	Flavor & Palatability	Awarded for liquid fish oils	Sensory qualities, based on evaluation by chefs and sommeliers

Conclusion: Confidence Through Verification

In conclusion, is Carlson Labs third-party tested? Yes, for many products, particularly omega-3 fish oils. Multiple external certifications like IFOS, IGEN, and Friend of the Sea reinforce the company's commitment to quality. These certifications provide unbiased proof of purity, potency, and sustainability, complementing internal testing. Carlson Labs is a reliable option for consumers seeking transparent, independently verified quality, supported by a long-standing reputation.

Frequently Asked Questions

While many products are tested, the most prominently third-party certified products are the omega-3 fish oils, which carry IFOS, IGEN, and Friend of the Sea certifications.

The IFOS certification means that the fish oil has been independently tested for freshness, potency, and purity, including screening for contaminants like mercury, lead, and PCBs.

Yes, Carlson Labs' fish oils are regularly tested for detrimental levels of mercury, cadmium, lead, and other heavy metals by independent, FDA-registered laboratories.

The Friend of the Sea certification confirms that the marine ingredients in Carlson's products, such as fish oil, are sourced using ethical and sustainable fishing practices.

Many Carlson Labs products are tested and verified by the IGEN program to be non-GMO. Consumers can find the non-GMO icon on the front label of tested products.

Information regarding a product's certifications is available on the product label and on the Carlson Labs website. For IFOS ratings, you can visit the Nutrasource website directly.

Carlson Labs has a long-standing history of commitment to quality, including third-party testing for its fish oils since their introduction to the commercial market in 1982.