SUPPLEMENT TESTING

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.

WHAT IS IDENTITY, PURITY AND POTENCY TESTING?

Identity, purity, and potency testing are the three pillars that form the foundation of supplement quality control:

Identity Testing: Confirms the presence of each listed ingredient matches label claims with no substitutions, fillers, or undisclosed ingredients.

Purity Testing: Screens for contaminants such as heavy metals, microbial pathogens, allergens, or chemical residues that could affect product safety.

Potency Testing: Verifies that active ingredients meet declared strength levels, ensuring the supplement delivers its intended benefits.

RL Labs offers comprehensive testing services to ensure that supplements meet these critical quality parameters.

DO YOU OFFER TESTING TO GET A CERTIFICATE OF ANALYSIS FOR AMAZON?

If you plan to sell your supplement on Amazon, Amazon requires a certificate of Analysis that verifies the label claims for active ingredients and that the supplement follows Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs). Amazon requirements for all dietary supplements intended for bodybuilding, joint health, sexual enhancement, sports nutrition, weight management also require:

• Heavy metal testing
• Microbial testing
• Pesticide screening (when applicable)
• Testing for known adulterants
• Lab results that support all label claims

You can find out more about Amazon supplement requirements here.

RL Labs provides Amazon-compliant COAs to help ensure your supplement passes Amazon’s listing and verification process.

CAN I CUSTOMIZE MY TESTING?

Yes, RL Labs offers a full array of FDA approved dietary supplement analyses that follow FDA requirements and can be customized to meet individual retailer specifications and regulations.