NSF and Wegmans partner to tackle “inconsistent requirements” across supplement industry

13 Apr 2022 --- Amid a lack of transparency and inconsistent testing in supplement products, NSF International and Wegmans Food Markets are teaming up to develop the Verified with Confidence program. The program will cover all dietary supplements, herbals, probiotics, and CBD-containing products sold at Wegmans US stores.

“We have been concerned about inconsistent requirements in testing standards in the supplement industry. Our Verified with Confidence program ensures that the products on our shelves contain the ingredients stated on the bottle,” Karen Shadders, vice president of health and well-being at Wegmans, tells NutritionInsight.

“The Verified with Confidence Program at Wegmans helps the manufacturers and Wegmans strengthen transparency with customers. They can be confident that they are purchasing a quality product when they shop for dietary supplements at our stores.”

NSF will review and test all vitamins, herbals, probiotics and CBD products offered at 106 Wegmans locations.According to a previous NSF survey, 96% of US consumers are concerned about the safety of nutritional supplements and 95% about personal care goods and cosmetics. Consumers are most concerned about harmful and untested ingredients, false claims, contamination and expired items.

“Verified with Confidence is a program that ensures consumers get the highest quality supplements available. We’re proud to make sure consumers are driven to brands and retailers creating first-rate products,” David Trosin, managing director at NSF International, also tells NutritionInsight.

Substantiating claims through the program
Through extensive testing and facility audits, product and ingredient certification can add quality to nutritional supplements, functional foods, and personal care items, NSF International underscores.

“Programs like this are triple wins – it’s a win for consumers to have confidence in their supplements, a win for brands which can meet this high-quality certification and a win for retailers who can leverage this certification to differentiate themselves in the market,” continues Trosin.

NSF is carrying out the program and delivering services such as auditing, product testing, label review accuracy and claim substantiation.

The recent American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) audit standards will be incorporated into Wegmans’ Verified with Confidence program.

The new GMP audit requirements are based on the present regulations described in 21 CFR 111 – a set of current good manufacturing practices for supplement manufacturers – and 117. The company adds that retailers, suppliers and other stakeholders developed these GMPs.

Echoing the need for ingredient transparency, NutritionInsight previously reported on industry moves that address labeling inaccuracy in eye health supplements and turmeric extracts and dietary supplement adulteration.

By Nicole Kerr