Supplement Quality - Are You Getting What's On the Label?

Earlier this month, four major US nutritional supplement retailers received cease-and-desist letters to stop selling seven dietary supplements under their store brand. The stores named in the letter included GNC, Target, Walgreens, and Wal-Mart. The seven products named in the letters were echinacea, garlic, gingko biloba, ginseng, saw palmetto, St John’s wort and valerian root.

An investigation conducted by the State of New York Office of the Attorney General found that several or all of the seven products tested were “either unrecognizable or a substance other than what they claimed to be, and therefore constitute contaminated or substituted products.”

The supplements were purchased at four different New York State locations. The products were genetically tested five times per sample by using DNA barcoding technology which measures ingredients through their genetic makeup. The brands tested were GNC "Herbal Plus", Target "Up & Up", Walgreen’s "Finest Nutrition", and Wal-Mart "Spring Valley". There were 24 products that contained the seven herbs being tested. Only five of the 24 products actually contained DNA from the specific ingredients being tested. The remaining 19 products contained ingredients that were either indistinguishable or from a plant not included on the product supplement facts. Five products contained wheat, a common allergen, but were not identified in the product.

The reprimand letter stated “Studies conducted by the Centre for Biodiversity Genomics at the University of Guelph and others have previously alerted the dietary supplement industry to the fact that it is not providing the public with authentic products without substitution, contamination or fillers. It is disappointing that over a year later the Attorney General’s researchers reached similar conclusions, demonstrating that the industry has failed to clean up its practices.”

As with all industries, there is spectrum of credibility and worthiness. The companies that choose to cut corners, lie, or cheat to make a profit tarnish the playing field for the rest of the industry. Since our inception 30 years ago, Wellness Resources has used only the finest quality raw materials available. Cutting corners in the world of nutrition and healthcare provides no help or benefit to anyone.

Wellness Resources is a family-owned company determined to provide superb quality products with complete integrity. What is on the label is exactly what is in the product. Our supplements are manufactured in the United States under stringent guidelines. Raw material nutrients and finished products are tested for quality control following Good Manufacturing Practices. Rest assured, Wellness Resources is staying true to our quality commitment and always putting your health first.