Certified Laboratories Blog
Insights for the food & beverage, cosmetics, OTC, supplements, and other industries.
Protein Quality Testing: FAQs for Supplement & Food Brands
Reviewed By Grace Llewellyn, Laboratory Services Director, Certified Laboratories Protein quality is becoming an increasingly important consideration for dietary supplement manufacturers as consumers and regulators focus on protein content, amino...
New York to Reduce Lead Action Levels for Certain Retail Spices
Reviewed By Steven Rogers, Corporate Quality Manager, Certified Group 1-Minute Summary New York State announced a reduction in the lead action level to 0.6 ppm for certain retail spices sold in the state, effective...
Tinosorb M and Tinosorb S Testing: How Our Validated HPLC Method Supports SPF Product Development
1-Minute Summary Tinosorb S, also known as bemotrizinol, received FDA approval for use in U.S. sunscreens on June 9, 2026. Tinosorb M, also known as bisoctrizole, is widely used internationally but is not approved as a U.S. OTC sunscreen active ingredient. ...
When to Use Method Validation, Verification, & Feasibility for OTC Drugs and Supplements
Uncertainty creates stress. It slows decision-making, increases risk, and makes the job of safety and quality professionals more difficult. One common source of that stress is not knowing whether a supplement or OTC drug sample needs feasibility, method...
Stability Testing for Natural Health Products (NHP)
Stability testing for natural health products (NHP) is vital for ensuring the quality, efficacy, and safety of your products. It helps determine how a product’s quality and characteristics may change over time under specific storage conditions, thereby informing the...
Identification of Ingredients in Supplements and NHP
There are two primary identification (ID) methodological approaches that are currently accepted by stakeholders involved in the dietary supplement industry: Chromatographic fingerprinting: High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Gas Chromatography (GC) ID...
Reduce Delisting Risk with Amazon Compliance Testing for High-Risk Supplements
Reviewed By Megan Vincent, Sr. Analytical Chemist, Certified Laboratories 1-Minute Summary Amazon compliance testing requires using an ISO 17025-accredited laboratory for certain high-risk supplement categories. Weight loss,...
Natural Health Product Testing in Canada Made Simple
When entering the Canadian market with a natural health product (NHP) or supplement, ensuring the product meets regulatory standards is essential. Proper third-party supplement and natural health product testing helps meet requirements with Health Canada’s regulations...
1,4-Dioxane Analysis in Cosmetics, Personal Care, and OTC Products: How Our GC-MS Method Works
Why 1,4-Dioxane is Difficult to Measure in Cosmetic Matrices 1,4-dioxane is a trace by-product of ethoxylation, a common chemical process used to create surfactants and emulsifiers found in many cosmetics, personal care, and...
Amazon Supplements Update 2026: What Sellers Need to Know
Reviewed By Steven Taormina, Certified Laboratories VP Sales & Marketing, Cosmetics, OTC, and Supplements; and Shelly Blackwell, Senior Director, Dietary Supplement and Tobacco Consulting, EAS Consulting Group 1-Minute Summary Amazon now requires third-party...
Choosing a Lab for FDA Detention Testing: What Counts with the Agency
1-Minute Summary Pick a lab with an ISO 17025 scope that matches your matrix/analyte; use LAAF when your analyte is active on FDA’s Dashboard. Require validated, matrix-appropriate methods, with LOQ/LOD below the limit and full QC so results are...
Dietary Supplement Allergen Control: Why It Matters in Manufacturing
Reviewed by Maged Sharaf, Ph.D., Senior Director for Labeling, Cannabis and Claims Consulting Services, EAS Consulting Group 1-Minute Summary Undeclared allergens are a leading cause of dietary supplement recalls, making proactive control essential. ...
PCR & ELISA Allergen Testing: How Manufacturers Detect Hidden Risks
1-Minute Summary ELISA allergen testing and PCR allergen testing are the two most widely used methods for detecting allergens in food, supplements, and cosmetics. Sandwich ELISA is ideal for protein-based allergens; PCR is preferred when DNA is more stable...
FDA Red List Removal – A Proven Plan for Resolving an Import Alert
Reviewed and Approved by Tim Lombardo, Sr. Dir., Food Consulting Services, EAS Consulting Group; and Annie Hughes, Director, General Manager FDA Detention, Certified Group 1-Minute Summary FDA Red List removal requires proving the issue that caused detention has...
How to Submit Samples for Nutritional Analysis
The time and cost associated with analytical determinations for compliance with the FDA Nutrition Labeling regulations (21 CFR 101) dictate that composites rather than individual samples be used. The following information explains how to submit samples for nutritional...
How Cosmetics Microbiology Testing Supports Product Safety and Quality
1-Minute Summary Cosmetics microbiology testing verifies that products are free of harmful microbes and safe for consumer use. Testing is performed at multiple stages – water, raw ingredients, in-process materials, and finished goods. USP <51>,...
How to Read an FDA Notice of Action (NOA)
Reviewed and Approved by Tim Lombardo, Sr. Dir. of Food Consulting Services, EAS Consulting Group; Annie Hughes, Director, General Manager FDA Detention, Certified Laboratories FDA detentions are on the rise. In 2025 alone, the Agency reviewed nearly 50 million...
Ido-BR1 Testing for Dietary Supplements: New Validated Method
Reviewed and Approved by Matt Traynor, PhD, Vice President, Innovation and Validation, Certified Laboratories 1-Minute Summary Ido-BR1 has shown promise in clinical trials as an anti-inflammatory for joint health, making it a popular ingredient in...
Health Canada’s NHP GMPs 4.0: Stability Testing FAQs
Reviewed and Approved by Matilda Baghdasarian, Laboratory Services Associate Director 1-Minute Summary Health Canada’s NHP GMPs Version 4.0 takes effect March 4, 2026, replacing the 2015 guide. Every natural health product (NHP) must now have a...
Want Accurate Results, Faster? Send Your COA with Your Sample
Reviewed and Approved by Matt Traynor, PhD, Vice President, Innovation and Validation, Certified Laboratories 1-Minute Summary COAs provide key technical details that are often absent from the sample submission form. They help us choose the most...
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