Thank you to everyone who participated in our recent e-newsletter survey. We appreciate the time readers took to submit comments and questions. Some of the feedback we received may interest other readers, so we are summarizing the feedback, along with our answers, in the next few e-newsletters. Today's feedback focuses on NOW Quality.

 

ANSWER: NOW is a very conservative company in terms of product labeling and claims. We provide the FDA with legitimate applicable science to substantiate every structure-function claim we make, and submit the same information to the NNFA Tru Label program. We also project reasonable use-by dates based on testing. The potency at expiration must at least match the effective potency on the product for the structure-function claim to match the supporting science.

 

NOW's research staff and fully equipped modern testing laboratories are second to none. Our Quality Control department is independent of our Production department and assures product quality by testing all raw materials, as well as finished products.

 

If we say it, we can support it!

 

COMMENT:  I would like independent certification (e.g. by Consumerlab.com) that your products contain what the label claims and that they are absorbable.

 

ANSWER: Our facility and products are subject to inspection, both planned and random, by several groups. Our GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) plant is audited by the FDA, the NNFA GMP program, and organic certification authorities from QAI (Quality Assurance International). Our facilities are also inspected by our raw material suppliers, especially those with trademarked ingredients. Our customers are afforded the opportunity to tour our facility during our annual Open House and see first-hand the processes and procedures we use to produce high quality products.

 

NOW has actually helped to set new international standards for testing ingredients in our own laboratories. The AOAC, an association of analytical chemists that reviews and approves testing methods, has accepted NOW-developed methods as new standards for testing Glucosamine and Chondroitin products.

 

NOW is unique as a dietary supplement manufacturer that contributes to the science of proving whether these products, from any manufacturer, match their label claims. When these methods are fully implemented, all testing companies will be using NOW's methods to test their raw materials and finished products for purity, quality and potency. You can't do much better when you buy a brand that sets the standard for quality.

 

Our GMP certification assures you that our methods for setting use-by dates, and for testing our products to assure that they disintegrate within the appropriate time, meet strict standards set by the FDA.

 

Finally, Consumerlab.com recently listed NOW and a competitor as the "Top Rated Brand(s) in Health Food Stores Based on Customer Satisfaction".

 

QUESTION:  When I'm buying supplements I consider both price and quality. How does NOW compare in these categories?

 

ANSWER: As with any product with multiple brands to choose from, consumers and retailers alike must do their homework. Most companies claim that they offer the best product for your money. That doesn't mean you should take their word for it. Ask for proof.

 

NOW maintains an extensive database of supporting research and certificates of analysis on all products we carry. We also maintain the results of tests conducted on our products from both in-house analyses and third party analyses. These documents are available for review upon request.

 

NOW offers its products at extremely competitive prices, which typically are at least 20% less than competitors. Internet sites that are maintained by retail stores will often offer NOW products at an even greater discount.

 

QUESTION:  Would you provide some information about NOW product endorsements and test results? 

ANSWER: Our products have been endorsed by such experts as therapist Julia Ross (MS) and noted nutritionist Marcia Zimmerman (CN, MS). These experts have asked NOW to produce their own formulas for them, which demonstrates their confidence in NOW's quality. Many of these formulas have been clinically tested, giving an assurance of efficacy.  

Many of our products use patented ingredients that have been the subject of numerous scientific studies. The manufacturers of these ingredients conduct their own random testing of NOW products that contain their ingredients to ensure that these products meet label claims.

One of our own products has been the subject of a research study:

SAM-e: Clinical Trial Supports Efficacy of NOW® SAMe for OA of the Knee
http://www.nowfoods.com/?action=itemdetail&item_id=10337