The feedback on these blogs and podcasts has been wonderful! I genuinely appreciate all the Regulatory, Quality, Management, and R&D teams out there who work together every day to set specifications, qualify vendors, write SOPs, determine test methods, and collaborate with third‑party labs like ours. It takes every one of us, working as one team, to manufacture high‑quality supplement products. … Read More
Building Quality from the Start: Setting Specifications for Compliance
Setting Specifications: Why It Matters Setting specifications for raw materials and finished goods is one of the most important steps in protecting your business. FDA 21 CFR Part 111 requires manufacturers to establish specifications for identity, purity, strength, and composition for every component and finished product. Too often, manufacturers focus on production and brand holders focus on marketing, leaving the … Read More
The Push and Pull of Manufacturing vs. Quality in the Supplement Industry
In today’s supplement manufacturing environment, there is a natural tension: the pressing priority of getting products ready and shipped quickly and the responsibility of making sure they meet the required standards for consumer safety and regulatory compliance. Manufacturing vs. Quality Process Manufacturing teams are driven by schedules, while Quality teams follow FDA GMP 21 CFR Part 111 regulations to ensure … Read More
Start with the End in Mind
Why Testing Methods Matter In supplement manufacturing, FDA 21 CFR Part 111 (Current Good Manufacturing Practice for Dietary Supplements) and 117 (Preventative Controls for Human Food) set the foundation for quality products. One key requirement is using scientifically valid test methods. If your finished product cannot be tested using a UV-Vis method because of co-ingredient interference, then your raw materials … Read More
Let’s Build Your Product’s FDA Compliance Story
At Ara Testing Labs, we get a lot of questions about blended supplement products and testing requirements. Many manufacturers are told they don’t need to test blends because of recovery issues. In some cases, labs struggle with how to approach these products at all. From a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) compliance standpoint, our position is clear and simple: you … Read More
Why Allergen Testing Matters
Did you know that 33 million Americans, according to FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education), have food allergies? As such a prevalent issue and safety risk, food allergens in supplements are ideally detected at the manufacturers level before products meet the consumer. Otherwise, it could be too late. Food allergens are a serious concern for both consumers and manufacturers. With … Read More
Every Brand’s Path Is Unique
Supplement Brand Responsibility: GMP Compliance Starts With You Outsourcing manufacturing doesn’t mean outsourcing responsibility. Under 21 CFR Part 111, the brand owner is ultimately responsible for ensuring that dietary supplements meet FDA requirements for identity, purity, strength, and composition.1 Vendor Qualification Is Not Optional You must qualify your contract manufacturer and suppliers—you cannot rely solely on their Certificate of Analysis (COA). … Read More
Science Meets Label Claim Testing
Welcome to the Ara Testing Labs Podcast — where today, science meets label claim testing. If you’re a brand, food or supplement manufacturer aiming to get your product on major retail shelves, testing isn’t just a formality — it’s a cornerstone of quality. Your label is the visual representation of what’s inside the bottle. The testing we provide ensures that what’s listed is … Read More
Introducing Ara and Friends Podcast
We are excited to introduce Ara & Friends, a podcast dedicated to exploring dietary supplement testing, quality, and regulatory standards. Our discussions will dive into the industry’s best practices, challenges, and insights—starting with probiotics. For our first episode, we’ll explore a reference in the CRN’s guidelines for Probiotic Best Practices. In partnership with the International Probiotic Association (IPA), the Council … Read More