Quality, Labels & Product Selection

What the law requires, and does not

Companies must produce supplements in a quality manner, ensure they do not contain contaminants or impurities, and label them accurately, but the rules are less strict than for drugs, and the FDA generally does not review supplements for safety and effectiveness before they are sold. [1]

What to look for

• Scientific name. Common names mislead. For example, German and Roman chamomile are different plants. [2]
• Plant part. Different parts differ in safety. Ginkgo leaf extract is used in studies, while seeds are toxic. [3]
• Form. Beverage, extract or capsule: see Forms.
• Amount per serving and other ingredients. Oral curcumin products vary in how much curcumin they contain and often contain other plant substances. [4]
• Disclaimer and claims. Structure/function claims must carry the FDA disclaimer; disease claims are not allowed on supplements. [1]

"Standardized", "verified", "certified"

A manufacturer's use of these words does not necessarily guarantee product quality or consistency. [1] A marker percentage, such as silymarin in milk thistle, measures a compound, not benefit. [5]

Real quality problems have been found

Some milk thistle products had silymarin amounts substantially different from the label or were contaminated with pesticides, microorganisms or mycotoxins. [5] The FDA has found prescription drugs in products sold as supplements. [1]

Testing and certificates

A third-party test can show identity and contaminants for a batch. It does not show that a product works or is safe for you. We do not recommend or rank brands, and we have not verified any certification program.

Storage

We do not give shelf-life numbers because we have not verified them. Keep products in their original containers away from children and pets.