Spotlight on Quality

NutriSearch has only one purpose: to provide consumers with information about dietary supplements, particularly multiple vitamin and mineral supplements, so they can choose the best supplement for their particular needs. Included in that purpose is the necessity of examining not only the nutrients included in a supplement, but also the quality of those ingredients, manufacturing methods, testing, and other quality control concerns.

Every few years, we look at the entire marketplace of multiple vitamin and mineral supplements and compare what we find to an independent standard, which we call the Blended Standard. Developed from the published recommendations of twelve recognized nutritional authorities, the Blended Standard provides a baseline against which we measure the products available. (See “Chapter 8: How the Comparisons Are Made” on page 47 of the NutriSearch Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements for full details.)

We believe strongly that quality manufacturing is just as important—maybe even more important—than what’s on the label. That’s where the NutriSearch Medal of Achievement Program comes in. For those products that reached the top, a Five-Star Product Rating, in our initial review of label claims, we invite the manufacturer to “put their money where their mouth is” by proving their product and their quality standards hold up. If they can demonstrate third-party certification of their Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), they become eligible for a NutriSearch Medal of Achievement. To reach GOLD status, they not only have to demonstrate the highest quality standards, but also subject their product to a third-party, certified analysis of label claim to prove that what’s on the label is also in the bottle. (See “Chapter 10: Medals of Achievement” on page 65 of the guide for details)

A NutriSearch Medal of Achievement is the consumer’s assurance that a product can demonstrate its superior contents and quality.