Buyer Beware! and A Word to the Wise.
After being in the healthcare profession and owning an herb and nutraceutical business for over 45 years, I have seen a lot, done a lot, and watched many products come and go. What I want to do is to give you a fair warning that everything you may see on Amazon or other websites or even in your favorite store where you purchase your health supplies, may not be what it says it is.
There are so many counterfeit products on the market that contain only a trace amount of what it says, or products that don’t tell you truthfully what’s in it.
Supplements are far less regulated than pharmaceutical medicines so beware. Look for large reputable companies that have a good reputation. Usually, less expensive products don’t carry what you may be looking for in a supplement. Shy away from products labeled ‘Natural’ or ‘Proprietary Blend’ or have words you don’t understand on the label. There are over 80 different names for MSG, How’s that! We all know that scamming has ramped up, and the health supply industry is not immune. They want your dollar. Do your homework! It would serve you best to vet any product you may be considering purchasing.
Ask to see a Certificate of Analysis, it should tell you about any microbial growth, heavy metal content, or mold. Ask how long the product has been sitting in a warehouse, and check expiration dates. You have to know who you buy from, is it a reputable company, and the source of ingredients. Does the product really have what it says and does it work?
Learn More: What is a Certificate of Analysis?
At the Dragon’s Den, we search for third-party testing for many of our health supplies, carry only USP and GMP products, focus on buying only organic or wildcrafted products, and try our darndest to get locally made products whenever possible. We research for you and us!
Again, everyone please be aware of counterfeit products available for purchase online. Do research, and be sure that you’re buying what it is you want and not just fillers and buffers.
I’d like to share that Mega-Corporations are buying out companies that we’ve trusted for years to deliver good, wholesome, and organic supplements. I watched this happen over the years, witnessing ingredient quality go down and prices go up.
Here are a few of the buyouts that have occurred:
- Nestle now owns Garden of Life, Pure Encapsulation, Wobenzym, and Douglas Labs.
- Proctor and Gamble now own New Chapter.
- Alticor owns Metagenics
- Pfizer owns Emergen-C and Centrum.
- Kikkoman owns Country Life.
- Schwabe now owns Nature’s Way, Enzymatic Therapy, and Integrative Therapeutics.
- HGGC owns Solaray and KAL. And the list goes on.
The takeaway is that the consumer and the selling store both need to do their homework.
Please be aware of who and what you are supporting with your buying power. If you are looking for quality ingredients from conscious, environmentally friendly companies, do your homework. Particularly be watchful for counterfeit products online.
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