All aspects of creating an encapsulated nutritional supplement is monitored. Records are kept on each lot of raw materials so that each product can be traced back to its original source.
Once a product has been produced, it goes back into the lab for further testing. The finished product is examined to ensure that it has not been contaminated by the production procedure, and that the capsule weights are accurate. A sample is retained for reference and shelf life testing. If there is ever a question about of its quality, this original sample can be referred to.
At Nature’s Sunshine, quality is not just a word – it’s a commitment to produce the finest quality products available. Here are some more of the extensive testing procedures carried out on every Nature’s Sunshine product.
Getting Physical with NSP Herbs and Health Supplements
Physical tests are another way Nature’s Sunshine ensures a quality health supplement.
- First, every new sample is compared with previous samples of the same supplement. Physical characteristics such as color, taste and odour are noted. These factors may vary slightly depending on the place and time of harvest or growing conditions of a particular herb, etc.
- Herbs are examined at the cellular level to make proper identification of the herb and the correct plant part being used.
- Another test involves analyzing the ash content of a sample of raw material. A herb sample is burned, then the ash residue is tested for foreign materials. Because dirt, sand or other foreign inorganic material does not bum, it can be seen under the microscope.
- Still another way to test for foreign material is to use the flotation test. A sample of a herb is heated or treated to remove the oil. Because they are oil-like, insect parts, bird feather fragments and animal hairs will float into the oily layer.
- In order to ensure uniformity of capsule weight, screen analysis is performed to ascertain the particle size of raw materials. Small particles will pack together significantly tighter than larger particles.
Such strict attention to quality is why Nature’s Sunshine has the well deserved reputation as the leading company in quality herbal and nutritional supplements.
NSP Over Delivers On Product Potency
By law, the potency of all vitamin products at the time of manufacture can be no less than the claim made on the label, but what about after manufacturing?
- Over time vitamins lose some of their potency. The longer they sit, the less potent they become.
- By the time they are warehoused, shipped and put on a shelf, they become less potent than when originally manufactured. That means you could be gelling less than what you paid for.
- To compensate for this loss, and to ensure that every customer gets what he or she pays for,Natures Sunshine adds as much as 10 percent extra to its vitamin products, enough to maintain label potency for as long as two years after manufacture’
- Even after the stated expiry date on the label you still receive full quality and value with every supplement.
Natures Sunshine Herbs and Health Supplements Pass the Test
Nature’s Sunshine has established an extensive microbiological testing protocol for each product designed to detect and identify harmful bacterial contamination.
- Microbiological cleanliness is tested in four important areas:
- total aerobic plate count;
- mold and yeast count;
- coliform (E. coli screen) count. Escherichia coli (or E. coli), which causes illness when ingested, is found in plant products grown in unsanitary conditions.
- presence of Salmonella. Salmonella is the bacteria responsible for food poisoning and many other food-borne illnesses found in herbs, just as in any other food.
Nature’s Sunshine is leaving nothing to chance in its mandate to produce and bring to market world class, high quality, value driven nutritional supplements that will exceed expectations
Global business with NSP 