Manufacturing in the USA, Ingredients from Around the World
While Garden of Life, a Nestlé Health Science brand, is headquartered in Florida, the production process for its comprehensive line of over 400 supplements involves both local manufacturing and global sourcing. The company confirms that its products are manufactured within the United States in facilities that are third-party audited and follow Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) as set by the FDA. This helps ensure the final products meet stringent quality and safety standards before they reach the consumer.
However, the story of production extends beyond just the manufacturing location. Garden of Life emphasizes traceability, starting with where each and every ingredient is grown. This is a complex process, as a single product can contain numerous ingredients sourced from various countries, including Canada, China, Germany, and the United States. The company works directly with its farmers and suppliers, going as far as learning about their farming practices and how they treat their farm workers to ensure ethical sourcing. For many ingredients, the source can change from batch to batch based on availability, but only if the strict quality and specification requirements are met.
Why Global Sourcing?
- Access to specific, high-quality ingredients: Some nutrients and herbs are best grown in specific climates or regions. Global sourcing allows Garden of Life to access these superior ingredients.
- Seasonal availability: Sourcing from different regions can ensure a consistent supply of ingredients throughout the year.
- Ethical and sustainable farming: Garden of Life's focus on traceability includes examining farming practices and labor treatment, supporting ethical standards worldwide.
- Diversity of nutrients: A wider range of source materials can lead to more diverse and potent nutrient profiles in the final products.
The Role of Quality Control and Certifications
To guarantee the integrity of its products, Garden of Life has a rigorous quality control program that includes comprehensive third-party testing. This commitment to purity is verified by numerous independent organizations. When you see a Garden of Life product, you can often find seals that signify a higher standard than the industry norm. Here are some of the key certifications:
- Certified USDA Organic: Ensures the use of plants grown without toxic pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, or GMOs.
- Non-GMO Project Verified: Provides assurance, through continuous testing, that products meet best practices for GMO avoidance.
- NSF Certified for Sport®: For athletic products, this certification guarantees they are tested for over 270 banned substances.
- Certified B Corporation: Recognizes the company for meeting the highest standards of social and environmental performance.
- Informed-Choice: Another third-party program that tests supplements for a wide range of prohibited substances.
Nestlé's Ownership and Its Impact
In December 2017, Garden of Life's former parent company, Atrium Innovations, was acquired by Nestlé. This news led to questions from some consumers about how the ownership change might affect Garden of Life's mission and product quality. However, Garden of Life has continued to operate with a strong emphasis on its core values of sourcing and manufacturing clean, whole-food-based supplements. The company has maintained its commitment to USDA Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified products and has continued to expand its carbon-neutral initiatives. By focusing on transparency and continuing its use of extensive third-party testing, the brand reassures customers that its quality standards remain intact.
A Comparison of Manufacturing and Sourcing
| Feature | Garden of Life | Typical Supplement Brand |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing Location | Primarily in the USA in cGMP-certified facilities. | Can be manufactured domestically or overseas; less transparent about facility auditing. |
| Ingredient Sourcing | Globally sourced with a focus on traceability back to the farm. | Often relies on third-party suppliers without detailed traceability requirements. |
| Quality Assurance | Extensive third-party certifications (USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project, NSF Certified for Sport). | May rely on self-certification or less rigorous internal quality control. |
| Transparency | Highly transparent about sourcing, certifications, and testing. | Varies widely; often less detailed information available to consumers. |
| Ethical Standards | Certified B-Corp status indicates high social and environmental performance standards. | Not typically evaluated for broad social and environmental impact. |
Conclusion
In summary, while Garden of Life products are manufactured in the United States, the brand's approach to sourcing is globally integrated to ensure the highest quality ingredients. Through a rigorous process of traceability and extensive third-party certifications, Garden of Life maintains a commitment to producing clean, whole-food-based supplements. Despite a change in ownership to Nestlé Health Science, the company has continued to uphold its core values, providing consumers with detailed information about their products' journey from farm to bottle.
For more information on the company's commitment to clean sourcing and ethical practices, visit the Garden of Life Sourcing page.
