SUPPLEMENT PANEL OPTIONS
PROCESS FOR SENDING SAMPLES
What is Supplement Testing?
Supplement testing is a specialized process that verifies the identity, purity, potency, and safety of dietary supplements. Unlike standard food testing, supplement analysis focuses heavily on the active ingredients that drive a product’s intended benefit. At RL Labs, our food science experts help brands identify exactly which tests they need to meet regulatory requirements, and support label claims.
WHAT ARE THE REGULATIONS FOR SUPPLEMENTS?
Supplements are primarily governed by the DSHEA (Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994). This is the main law regulating supplements in the U.S and defines:
- What counts as a dietary supplement
- What ingredients are allowed
- How supplements must be labeled
- Supplements are regulated as foods, not drugs
- Companies, not the FDA, are responsible for product safety prior to marketing
21 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) 111 also includes regulations for product safety and Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP):
- Verify every active ingredient is what the label claims (identity tests)
- Ensure potency matches the label
- Test for contaminants (heavy metals, microbes, etc.)
- Maintain batch records and traceability (lot numbers)
Ensuring your supplement is compliant with the proper regulations is important because the FDA can take action against supplements that are adulterated or misbranded.