SuppCo, a forward-thinking company, has introduced a groundbreaking certification program to ensure the integrity of dietary supplements. This initiative is a significant step towards addressing the long-standing issue of inaccurate labeling and subpar quality in the supplement industry. The program, TESTED by SuppCo, is designed to complement their existing TrustScore system, which has already shed light on the alarming reality that many top-selling supplements fall short of basic label accuracy standards.
The core problem, as Steve Martocci, co-founder and CEO of SuppCo, highlights, is systemic. "SuppCo was born out of my own frustration trying to make informed decisions about supplements, and I quickly realized this wasn’t a personal challenge but a systemic failure of the industry." The new certification program, TESTED by SuppCo, aims to set a clear, independent standard for transparency and accountability, empowering consumers to trust the products they purchase and allowing responsible brands to prove their commitment to quality.
The program's debut is a collaborative effort with several reputable brands, including Momentous, Thorne, Metagenics, Gaia Herbs, Designs for Health, Fatty15, Solaray, Niagen, Integrative Therapeutics, and Pendulum. The certification process involves submitting products for testing through an independent ISO 17025-accredited laboratory, ensuring a rigorous and unbiased evaluation.
Jordan Glenn, head of science at SuppCo, explains that the certification is an extension of their previous testing initiatives, which revealed that approximately half of the top-selling supplements failed to meet basic label accuracy standards. The certification adds another layer to the TrustScore feature, providing users with a comprehensive understanding of a product's quality before it reaches the lab.
The initial testing rounds focused on creatine, NAD+, urolithin A, and berberine supplements, with surprising results. Many products contained significantly lower amounts of their listed active ingredients, with some containing as little as 0% to 3%. This highlights a critical issue in the industry, where brands claiming high serving sizes often conceal weak or absent active ingredients.
SuppCo's 2025 testing retrospective emphasizes the severity of these findings, stating, "These aren’t borderline misses of ‘close enough’ results, they’re evidence of breakdowns at nearly every level of quality control, from raw ingredient sourcing to final formulation verification." The company is committed to closing this loophole and ensuring that products deliver what they promise.
TESTED by SuppCo's certification process is a comprehensive solution, with annual testing to ensure compliance. Products that meet or exceed 95% of their labeled active ingredient claims earn certification, and all results, regardless of certification status, are publicly available on SuppCo's product pages. This transparency empowers consumers to make informed decisions and holds brands accountable for their product quality.
The program's impact is significant, as it addresses a fundamental structural issue in the industry. Most existing certifications rely on manufacturer-submitted samples or tests from production lots, which can be manipulated. TESTED by SuppCo, on the other hand, purchases products anonymously, off the shelf, after normal retail aging, ensuring an unbiased evaluation. This distinction closes a meaningful loophole and provides consumers with a more reliable source of information.
The supplement industry is at a critical juncture, with rising consumer expectations and increasing regulatory scrutiny. TESTED by SuppCo is a response to this challenge, offering a baseline of verification, accountability, and transparency. Brands that participate in the program understand that transparency is the only durable competitive advantage in a crowded market. As Jeff Byers, CEO of Momentous, notes, "It’s easy for brands to talk about quality and boast big claims about their products, but it’s much harder to prove it." The program encourages brands to step up and prove their commitment to quality, fostering a more trustworthy and reliable industry.
In conclusion, TESTED by SuppCo is a significant development in the supplement industry, offering a much-needed solution to the issue of inaccurate labeling and subpar quality. By combining rigorous testing, transparency, and accountability, the program empowers consumers and holds brands accountable, paving the way for a more trustworthy and reliable future for dietary supplements.
