Youngevity embraces two voluntary 3rd party certification programs
Today, given the surging popularity of nutritional supplementation, and the hundreds of companies that have surfaced to meet the demand, verification of product quality is vitally important. Natural products do not receive the same regulation as prescription or over-the-counter drugs, and this fact raises concerns in the minds of many consumers. Youngevity has always been a leader in product purity, but recent developments demonstrate the company’s confidence when it comes to product integrity.
Youngevity is now a voluntary participant in rigorous independent product analysis involving two highly respected testing organizations—NSF International and IFOS. The goal of these organizations is to protect both the consumer and the industry by establishing strict standards for purity and quality, and testing and certifying products at various points throughout the supply chain. They check for harmful contaminants and verify that the supplements contain the ingredients listed on the label and nothing else. Let’s be clear, no one is forcing Youngevity to participate in this certification program. It is simply a result of the company’s dedication to excellence, and it’s ongoing commitment to rebuild the health of people worldwide. Let’s look at each testing entity in more detail:
NSF International
Founded in 1944 as the National Sanitation Foundation, this organization has expanded into many categories of consumer protection and into global markets. Their engineers, microbiologists, toxicologists, chemists, and public health experts test and certify products in state-of-the-art labs.
The NSF certification mark on a product means that the product complies with all standard requirements. You will begin seeing it on the full line of Beyond Tangy Tangerine products and other keystone products.
The certification mark provides:
- Knowledge that an impartial review against established criteria or guidelines has been conducted
- Evidence that product labeling and claims have been objectively reviewed by a trusted third party.
- A way to differentiate Youngevity products from competitors’ products and gain advantage in the market
- Evidence of Youngevity’s company-wide commitment to quality, compliance and safety
- Backing by a team of professionals dedicated to public health and safety operating in more than 150 countries around the world.
Every aspect of a product’s development is thoroughly evaluated before it can earn NSF certification. NSF does not simply evaluate test data submitted by manufacturers or analyze just a single sample of a product and give it their okay. They conduct product testing in accredited laboratories to confirm that the actual contents of the supplement product match those printed on the label. And certification is not a one-time event, but involves regular on-site inspections of manufacturing facilities and regular re-testing of products to ensure that they continue to meet the same high standards required to maintain certification over time. Annual audits assure compliance against the toughest testing standard in existence today.
IFOS
The International Fish Oil Standards™ (IFOS™) Program is the only third party testing and certification program for fish oils. IFOS certification has been granted for EFA Plus and S.M.A.R.T. FX products.
IFOS sets the world’s highest standards for purity, potency, and freshness. As a voluntary, subscription-based service available to the entire fish oil supply chain, IFOS tests products by lot, using direct analysis, for active ingredient content, contaminants, and freshness.
Omega-3 fatty acids, in particular eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are responsible for the numerous health benefits associated with fish oil products. Unfortunately, not all products on the market contain the quantity of active ingredients stated on the product label. As a consumer, you need to be assured that the product you are paying for contains adequate levels of its most critical components. IFOS certification provides that assurance.
Another factor to consider when evaluating a fish oil product is possible contamination. Environmental contaminants and harmful chemicals can enter the ecosystem as a result of industrial activity. These compounds bio-accumulate in the fatty tissues of fish, meaning that oil derived from these tissues may contain excess concentrations of contaminants. Contaminants commonly detected in fish oil samples include heavy metals (e.g., mercury, lead, arsenic, cadmium) PCBs, dioxins, furans and dioxin-like PCBs. Clinical research suggests that contaminants from edible marine sources can have negative health effects, many of which outweigh the beneficial health effects of omega-3 intake. IFOS is the only program that tests fish oil products by batch/lot number to ensure that they do not contain harmful levels of contaminants. In response to increased consumer inquiries about fish oil and radiation, all fish oil samples submitted for IFOS testing have radiation analysis information.
Also a concern is shelf life and stability. Ingredients that are prone to degradation or spoiling, such as fish oil, can quickly turn rancid if the product was not formulated adequately, not handled properly during manufacturing, or stored in unsuitable conditions (e.g., excessive temperature or humidity). Again, IFOS is the only program that tests fish oil products by batch/lot number to ensure that they are stable and fresh for consumption.
Why verify?
What if you’ve learned to trust Youngevity’s products through the most important verification process of all—your individual results! Why verify? Don’t forget that integral to Doctor Wallach’s mission is the need to spread the word of 90 essential nutrients to the whole world. Let’s face it; it’s an increasingly skeptical world! The scientific verification and validation made possible through independent, 3rd party testing will pave the way for a quicker realization of our mission. And as the complexity and footprint of the Youngevity operation expands to meet world demand, it’s important to verify that nothing is ever compromised in ANY quarter. It’s an insurance policy for now and the future. We are fortunate to have corporate leadership that is willing to invest, in so many ways, to achieve the highest standards of excellence.
Youngevity Australia 