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  • Review Paper on Botanical Cost of Quality Now in Peer Review

    Botanical Cost of Quality: An Economic Framework for Botanical Price Floors and Adulteration Prevention Blake Ebersole¹, Trish Flaster²¹NaturPro Scientific / Ethical Sourcing Review²Botanical Liaisons / Ethical Sourcing Review Abstract Botanical ingredients used in foods, dietary supplements, and pharmaceutical products are uniquely vulnerable to economically motivated adulteration due to long, opaque supply chains, biological variability, and…

  • Ashwagandha TRUTH: Blake Ebersole on Labeling & India’s Leaf Ban | PricePlow Episode 218

    Posted on PricePlow on May 21, 2026 — The supplement industry is pushing back. In May 2026, a group of long-tenured ashwagandha producers and regulatory experts launched the Ashwagandha Standards Alliance (ASA), a new coalition dedicated to countering misinformation about ashwagandha leaf safety, defending GMP standards, and responding to what many in the industry see as scientifically…

  • Why Fearless Naturals USA is Different

    Does your ingredient intel know how your ingredients are made? Because a lot of platforms can tell you what’s available and trending. They can give you a possible match, what the studies say and what competitors are doing. But we’re still left hanging with the biggest question: Do you know enough about the ingredient, the…

  • FDA Infant Formula Testing: Radical Transparency?

    May 3, 2026 — Did FDA fulfill its promise on radical transparency on infant formula in the widely promoted Operation Stork Speed? FDA’s recent infant formula testing results are reassuring. But in my opinion, they’re incomplete. The agency reports that it tested more than 300 infant formula samples and generated more than 120,000 data points…

  • The Ashwagandha-AYUSH Truth Will Set Us Free

    The truth will set us free. Many are interpreting the AYUSH/FSSAI action differently than it actually is. The Ashwagandha Standards Alliance, a robust, growing group of responsible firms, is addressing these and other related issues one by one. Undeclared aerial-part substitution should be taken seriously. Yet ashwagandha ingredients from reputable suppliers already properly label plant…

  • The Ashwagandha Plot Bubbles and Thickens

    The ashwagandha plot bubbles and thickens, and the crucible now precipitates visible impurity. The Ashwagandha Standards Alliance applauds NutraIngredients for yesterday’s article by Asia Sherman, which illustrates all together the stark contrast between one popular narrative and the science. The narrative says that root is authentic, that leaf is suspect, and that the Ministry of…

  • How to Choose Supplements Like an Expert (SuppCo Podcast)

    Posted by Supp.Co, April 22, 2026 — The supplement industry has a quality problem. Not a shortage of it. A definition problem. Every brand claims it. Almost none of them mean the same thing. (Read the full article here.) “Quality is like an onion with a thousand layers. By the time you get to the…

  • Before I Knew Any Better…

    Back before I knew any better, I thought natural products were easy. I used to think sourcing was easy. Find a supplier online. Get a spec sheet. Allergen statement, SDS. Done. Then you learn that “same ingredient” can mean different countries, different processing, different adulteration risks, different documentation, different actual quality. I used to think…

  • I Wish I Had SupplySide Fresh

    Once upon a time, I was fresh. Today, I wish I had SupplySide Fresh — an industry onboarding program for new hires and newcomers to the health and nutrition industry. Learn from me and other experts, build valuable connections and accelerate growth in this dynamic field. Why choose SupplySide Fresh? Comprehensive education Learn from industry…

  • Linear Supplement Default, Not Reality

    Linear thinking is often our default model of thought. But it’s not reality. In a supplement formulation meeting many years ago, I suggested to a top supplement brand that cyclical dosing for a certain ingredient would follow the science and might be prudent. They paused. Looked at me, then at each other. And they changed…

  • Food Science is Not Broken

    Food science is not broken. But people keep treating it like it is finished. I was quoted this week on the David bar lawsuit, and the bigger issue is not just a protein bar. It is partly about how badly people want to call a single scientific method a gold standard, when it might just…

  • 32 Years After DSHEA, FDA Debates Meaning of “Dietary Substance”

    What the heck is a dietary supplement, under the U.S. law known as DSHEA? A core part of the debate is whether ‘dietary substance’ was intended as the same meaning as ‘present in the food supply’. Some fringe thinkers want to paint them as the same, and rewrite their own take into law to only…

  • When Modern Science Collides with Ayurveda

    What do traditional Ayurveda and modern science have in common — other than repeated testing of hypotheses, and communication of evidence?   Answer: They both warrant the usage of many herbs for health purposes based on rigorous observation in humans.   While Ayurveda’s got nothing on our space age, it’s got its own chops as a well-developed,…

  • What’s next.. vitamin gobstoppers?

    I remember the time I was called to an all-hands product development call regarding an amazing new technology. The crack team of young marketing whizzes had spent months compiling extensive market exploration research, mapping consumer needs, and diagramming product idea matrices. The culmination of this work was a groundbreaking product concept that was not only…

  • Smart Extracts for Smarter Supplements

    The brain bone is connected to the hip bone — and just about everything else in our body. So when we think about antioxidant-rich botanicals that are good for our health, chances are they’re probably good for our brain too. Luckily, the past 20 years have given us an incredible amount of data to develop…

  • Dietary Supplements Prohibited by Amazon.com

    The following list of supplements are banned for sale by Amazon as of April 18, 2023. This list did not provide business owner names or contact information. Contact Amazon or FDA directly if you would like to learn more about these prohibited brands. Visit the source page at the Amazon website for an updated list. Known Prohibited…

  • New Research and Opportunities in Weight Management

    Untold tens of thousands of published scientific studies reveal ways to maintain a healthy body weight. Most weight management studies published in the past 20 years heavily emphasize overall diet and lifestyle, incorporating lifestyle interventions in addition to drugs or supplements. Simple lifestyle interventions—like getting a daily text reminder, recording an eating diary, and attending…

  • What’s ‘noo’ in nootropics?

    Well first: what’s NOT new: Pharmaceutical ingredients masquerading as nootropic supplements. A February 2019 Warning Letter from FDA to Pure Nootropics LLC regarding disease claims for legitimate supplements, along with drugs sold as supplements (like piracetam and its analogs) was followed by a polite closeout letter in June of that year, failing to mention whether said ingredients…

  • Sustainable sourcing: Not ‘selfies with farmers’

    International standards and regenerative farming are at the leading edge of sustainability when discussing the sourcing of herbs and botanicals. But at essence, promoting sustainability begins with evaluating and understanding what is needed most to sustain and improve supply.

  • Toxins land baby foods in hot water

    Ebersole can see the writing on the wall. “I expect the media will report that these levels reported in baby food are toxic—and sow more distrust in baby food. Meanwhile, industry looks bad, but it’s not entirely our fault without some clarity on what limits we should be setting,” he said.

  • How to Meet Amazon Supplement COA (Certificate of Analysis) Requirements

    Understanding Amazon’s new requirements for supplement testing can be hard, but we can help. We are aware of the rapidly changing, uncertain requirements of Amazon for dietary supplements. One of the key new requirements is for marketers to submit certificates of analysis, of COA for many dietary supplement products. As of late 2020, Amazon.com is…

  • Harvesting a quality hemp supplier from the chaff

    The supply chain for hemp ingredients like CBD is crowded, with the whole spectrum of quality available. At the top are legitimate, transparent sources exerting extreme care, control and expertise. At the bottom, a glut of traders and speculators who are blind to product provenance and production.

  • Supplement & Distributor SOP’s and Procedures

    If you market or sell your own label of supplement or food product that is manufactured by a third party, such as a contract manufacturer or copacker, then you are responsible for its manufacture and labeling—even if you never physically touch the product. 

  • Finding success in the RTD beverage aisle

    While learning from success is seemingly more enjoyable, there are lessons to be learned in failure as well. Learn the top tips for success and avoiding failure in the RTD beverage aisle.  Blake Ebersole | Sep 17, 2020 First published in Natural Products Insider Insider Takes The RTD beverage aisle in closeout stores provides valuable intel…

  • Product Strategy Consultants for Dietary Supplements

    Product strategy for health products like supplements requires extensive knowledge of consumer trends, marketing, consumer behavior, food science, regulatory requirements and technical and scientific affairs. NaturPro Scientific combines expertise in a wide array of product types and disciplines, offering clients a way to maximize chances for consumer product success in the market. Product Strategy –…

  • Healthy Food and Supplement Beverage Formulators

    Creating a successful healthy food or beverage is a lot more than selecting a list of ingredients that mix well together. NaturPro has a broad base of knowledge in product development and production of dietary supplements, healthy foods and healthy beverages, spanning from raw material to finished functional food or beverage. We guide our clients…

  • Pilot and Benchtop Prototype Capsules & Powders for Dietary Supplements

    Creating a successful pilot and bench top prototype capsule is a lot more than creating a list of ingredients that mix well together. NaturPro has a broad base of knowledge in capsule development and prototype formulation as well as healthy foods and natural products, spanning from raw material to finished consumer product. We guide our…

  • CBD products fail another test—with an important caveat for retailers

    “These are mostly no-name brands,” said Blake Ebersole, founder and president of NaturPro Scientific, a consultancy helping companies with product development, quality compliance and manufacturing of supplements. “The products were actually purchased from convenience stores and ‘CBD shops’ as opposed to health-food stores.”

  • Dietary Supplement Facts and Label Review

    There’s a lot of detail required for dietary supplement labels. Between supplement facts, structure-function health claims, content claims, and required formatting, it’s easy to overlook some of the FDA requirements for labeling. Dietary Supplement Facts and Label Review As part of our Label Review services, NaturPro helps clients develop, review and suggest improvements to dietary…

  • Supplement contract manufacturing recall ‘unprecedented’

    Blake Ebersole, founder and president of NaturPro Scientific LLC, a consulting firm in the natural products industry, lauded FDA for its ultimate enforcement action. “Companies like this are a big drag on the industry and they’re putting out potentially unsafe products, giving responsible companies a black eye,” he said in an interview.

  • Dietary Supplement Recall

    January 17, 2020 — Dietary Supplement Recall announced for 1,200 products from 850 supplement distributors made between January 2013 and November 2019. ABH NATURE’S PRODUCTS, INC, ABH PHARMA, INC., and STOCKNUTRA.COM, INC. (the “COMPANIES”) is conducting a nationwide recall of ALL lots of its dietary supplement products pursuant to a Consent Decree entered by the U.S. District Court for…

  • Contract Supplement Manufacturer Advocates

    Behind every successful product is a great contract supplement manufacturer. We’ve audited and worked together with a lot of contract manufacturers. That means we know how to get the best value, at the best quality, from supplement contract manufacturer partners.

  • Choosing the best independent supplement testing labs

    Overall, brand marketers/manufacturers are best served if they have a lab qualification procedure in place just as they have a supplier qualification procedure, according to Blake Ebersole, president, NaturPro Scientific.

  • NaturPro Verified Supply™

    As consultants for a diversity of supplement and food firms, NaturPro Scientific has qualified numerous ingredients, suppliers and products. So, we decided to share some of the products and ingredients that we have verified, within a curated supply catalog: NaturPro Verified Supply™ What’s different about NaturPro Verified Supply compared to other suppliers and manufacturers? Suppliers…

  • Ethical Sourcing Assessments for Ingredients, Supplements and Foods

    NaturPro has served an essential role in helping our clients source and evaluate ethically sourced ingredients.  Our Ethical Sourcing Assessments include elements from many recognized programs such as Fairtrade(R), and uses one of the most comprehensive set of standards guiding the evaluation of the social and environmental impact of natural products and foods. Ethical Sourcing Assessments are…

  • Dietary Supplement Formulation

    As Dietary Supplement Formulators we often are asked what we think of a product concept. The thought process to develop an answer is generally similar, regardless of the type of product, and whether its finished product, or an ingredient or raw material. A number of considerations go into formulating successful, effective, safe and compliant dietary…

  • FSVP: FDA’s Requirements under FSMA for Imported Ingredients

    Importing any food or supplement products? Do you have training, procedures and records according to FDA’s FSVP guidance?  Many firms in the food and dietary supplement industry are quietly putting significant investment into meeting the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). FSMA was signed by President Obama in 2011 as the first major legislation to update food…

  • 7 Steps to Dietary Supplement Product Development

    We often get asked what we think of a product concept. The thought process to develop an answer is generally similar, regardless of the type of product, and whether its a consumer packaged good (CPG) or finished product, or an ingredient or raw material. A number of considerations go into developing and producing successful, effective,…

  • Protecting botanicals from adulteration

    Blake Ebersole, president of NaturPro Scientific, noted adulteration of natural products, especially foods and botanical ingredients, has been occurring for thousands of years. He added, “Two main classes of adulteration include economically motivated adulteration—generally the substitution or dilution of expensive ingredients with cheaper ones—and also, unintended cases of accidental adulteration or mistaken botanical identity.”

  • Cannabis, Hemp & CBD | SOP and Procedures

    Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for Cannabis, CBD and Hemp operations are required for every type of business — even if you are only a distributor or marketer.  Our experts have decades of experience with all types of document requirements, for all types of firms — especially SOP supporting the following: Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP’s) Good…

  • Botanical Authentication for the Long Haul

    Blake Ebersole, president of NaturPro Scientific, noted adulteration of natural products, especially foods and botanical ingredients, has been occurring for thousands of years. He added, “Two main classes of adulteration include economically motivated adulteration— generally the substitution or dilution of expensive ingredients with cheaper ones—and also, unintended cases of accidental adulteration or mistaken botanical identity.”

  • Historical Food and Supplement Adulterant List

    Adulteration of food and agricultural materials has a long history. NaturPro has generated a list of references citing adulteration of food and dietary ingredients in recent times (publications in the past ~30 years). Historical Food and Supplement Adulterant List The intent of this list to promote awareness for historical adulterants in natural products. This list is for…

  • Private Label Drink and Beverage Powder Supplement Formulation

    Creating a successful customized drink and beverage powder is a lot more than creating a list of ingredients that mix well together. NaturPro has a broad base of knowledge in production of drinks and beverage powder development, spanning from pilots to private labels. We guide our clients in the right direction, by helping to manage…

  • Workshop on Product Testing at Supplyside

    2018 SUPPLYSIDE WORKSHOP — Effectively Partnering with a Contract Laboratory Location: Lower Level, North Convention Center Wednesday, November 7 | 1:30-4:30pm NaturPro Scientific will be discussing common pain points (and reliable cures) to forging long-lasting client-lab partnerships. For example, many companies responsible for testing their product pay little attention to how the material is being tested,…

  • Brain Health: Today is Almost Tomorrow

    The brain is not simple, and neither are any answers. Early risk detection and a combination of supplements and interventions are the focus of today’s research by thousands of scientists and physicians who are likely to bear fruit in the near future.

  • Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for Natural Products

    Scientific Publications on Natural Products, including Food, Medicine and Dietary Supplements: With a focus on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for Natural Products, Quality Management Systems, and Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP) (Have a suggestion to add? Contact us!) A Field Guide to Herbal Dietary Supplements, AHPA-ERB Foundation, http://www.ahpafoundation.org/fieldguide.pdf A Harvester’s Handbook to Wild Medicinal Plant…

  • Our Black Mentors | Why Black Lives Matter

    A message from the Founder and President: Many of you know me as a “science guy”, a consultant for food and supplements who always tries to go the extra mile and do the right thing for our clients. Many of our clients aren’t aware that the values of NaturPro are essentially the same as the…

  • Article: Dietary Supplements: Regulatory Challenges

    Dietary Supplements: Regulatory Challenges and Research Resources Johanna T. Dwyer, Paul M. Coates, and Michael J. Smith Nutrients 2018, 10, 41; doi:10.3390/nu10010041 (Open Access) Abstract: Many of the scientific and regulatory challenges that exist in research on the safety, quality and efficacy of dietary supplements are common to all countries as the marketplace for them…

  • Dietary Supplement Label Review Checklist

    The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has specific rules for labeling and claims related to dietary supplements on packaging, marketing, websites, inserts and other promotional materials. If a label states a false or misleading claim, FDA, other regulatory agencies or class-action attorneys may file warning letters or lawsuits. Dietary Supplement Label Review Checklist ⊗ PACKAGING…

  • Food & Supplement Testing for Natural Products

    Testing Foods, Supplements and Ingredients NaturPro offers independent laboratory support for food & supplement testing for natural products. Have natural product analysis questions? Contact Us.. Why Testing is Important: Supplement and natural product testing with a compliant laboratory is required by FDA for foods, dietary supplements and ingredients to ensure they meet standards for safety,…

  • Dietary Supplement Quality Control QA QC

    Dietary Supplement Testing: Quality Control Dietary supplements are subject to FDA requirements for quality control in the United States. cGMP require specifications for each ingredient and finished dietary supplement. The specifications list parameters for identity, purity, potency and other requirements for regulatory compliance. Each parameter on the specification must be tested with a scientifically valid…

  • Customized Private Label Dietary Supplements

    As Private Label Formulators we often get asked what we think of a product concept. The thought process to develop an answer is generally similar, regardless of the type of dietary supplement, and whether its finished product, or an ingredient or raw material. A number of considerations go into formulating successful, effective, safe and compliant…

  • Nutraceutical Formulators

    NaturPro are nutraceutical formulators with a broad range of experience in development and production of nutraceuticals, supplements, healthy foods and natural products — spanning from raw material to finished consumer product. We talk through your goals with you and clarify the kind of nutraceutical formulators you’re looking to hire. A number of considerations go into…

  • Nutrition Product Development

    Development of nutrition products focus on efficacy, quality and purity. NaturPro has a broad base of knowledge in nutrition product development and production of nutrition supplements, healthy foods and natural products, spanning from raw material to finished consumer product. We take the time to talk through your goals with you and clarify the kind of…

  • Nutrition Formulation Consultants

    NaturPro Scientific stands out as consultants who work for our clients. Creating a successful product is a lot more than creating a list of ingredients that mix well together. Our history: We have more than 30 years experience in developing the scientific aspects of nutrition products to support human health. NaturPro has a broad base of…

  • Nutritional Supplement Formulation Services

    We lead our clients in the right direction, by helping to manage all (or parts) of the process for nutritional supplement formulation for dietary supplement and health food products. Creating a successful product is a lot more than creating a list of ingredients that mix well together. NaturPro has a broad base of knowledge in nutritional…

  • Dietary Supplement Product Development and Formulation Consultants

    As Dietary Supplement Consultants we often are asked what we think of a product concept. The thought process to develop an answer is generally similar, regardless of the type of product, and whether its finished product, or an ingredient or raw material. A number of considerations go into developing successful, effective, safe and compliant dietary…

  • AOAC ERP of the Year to Kombucha Alcohol Group

    NaturPro Contributes to Expert Panel Receiving AOAC Award: “ERP of the Year” to Kombucha Alcohol Group The AOAC Expert Review Panel (ERP) charged with reviewing methods of analysis for ethanol in kombucha initially met in September 2016 to review methods against AOAC SMPR 2016.001 (Determination of Ethanol in Kombucha). At this meeting, the ERP adopted an…

  • Cannabis Consultants

    NaturPro Scientific stands out as consultants who work for our clients. Our history: We have more than 30 years experience in developing the scientific aspects of botanical products to support human health. So when we started to work on cannabis, hemp and CBD products in 2013, it was second nature. There are a lot of things…

  • CBD Quality Consultants and Experts 

    In a world where everyone claims to be an expert, NaturPro Scientific stands out as consultants who work for our clients. Our history: We have more than 30 years experience in developing the scientific aspects of botanical products to support human health. So when we started to work on cannabis, hemp and CBD products in 2013,…

  • CBD and Cannabis Audits, GMP and Quality

    NaturPro Scientific is a recognized leader in audits, GMP and quality assurance on cannabis, botanical drugs, dietary supplements and foods. What are Good Manufacturing Practices?  Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) ensures products are consistently produced and controlled to the quality standards and conform to all applicable regulatory requirements.  Good Manufacturing Practices are fundamental to any manufacturing…

  • Food and Supplement Product Manufacturing Feasibility

    Knowing whether a material will be able to be made into a product is a key step to product development. A lot of natural products are unstable, insoluble, non-flowable, terrible tasting, or otherwise challenging to mix into the desired product form. In today’s ‘clean label’ demanding market, many of the additives used to make a…

  • The Regulatory Patchwork of Dietary Supplements

    In the United States, dietary supplements and their ingredients are subject to a patchwork of regulations, industry guidance, voluntary certifications and audit programs. With some exceptions, few standards for dietary supplements have been developed with expert consensus and  broadly implemented by the dietary supplement industry. FDA’s dietary supplement GMPs (good manufacturing practices) are part of the…

  • Dietary Supplement Ingredients and Raw Materials

    NaturPro Scientific are experts in dietary supplement bulk raw materials and ingredients, especially botanicals and herbs.  We know how botanical and medicinal plants are grown, harvested, aggregated, processed, extracted and tested. We are specialists in qualifying, testing and sourcing herbal dietary ingredients and botanical raw materials used in supplements, foods, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Quick Facts on Bulk…

  • Dietary Supplement Testing and Analysis: Quality Control

    Dietary Supplement Testing and Analysis: Quality Control Dietary supplements are subject to FDA requirements for good manufacturing practices (cGMP) and quality control in the United States. cGMP require specifications for each ingredient and finished dietary supplement. The specifications list parameters for identity, purity, potency and other requirements for regulatory compliance. Each parameter on the specification…

  • Nootropic Supplement Product Development

    Development of nootropic supplements as products supporting brain and cognitive health requires a focus on efficacy, quality and purity. Regulatory compliance and safety of ingredients for nootropics are key factors in developing formulas and products. Facts on Nootropic Supplement Product Development: NaturPro Scientific assists in the development, sourcing, testing and production of nootropic ingredients and products.…

  • Turmeric Supplement Testing — Curcumin Products

    Laboratory testing of turmeric supplements and curcumin products is important for quality, safety, dosage and bioavailability. NaturPro Scientific offers testing and analysis consulting for turmeric, and works with expert research and quality control testing laboratories. A number of analytical methods and monographs have been developed for turmeric to ensure bioavailability, consistency, potency and purity of curcumin…

  • Echinacea Supplement Testing — Echinacea purpurea, E. angustifolia

    Echinacea Supplement Testing — Echinacea purpurea, E. angustifolia Echinacea testing is critical to determining the quality, identity and potency of an echinacea material. NaturPro Scientific offers testing consulting for echinacea supplements. Echinacea analysis and testing is based mainly on the WHO  monograph on Echinacea that is excerpted in part below, and the USP monograph.   Herba…

  • Herb Listing: Passiflora edulis (Passionflower) flower, seed or vine

      This is a listing page for Passionflower (Passiflora) products available directly from producers:   Location: Karnataka, India Harvest Season: depends on plant part Acres: 50 Certifications: Good Agricultural Practices Uses Organic Practices Non-GMO Farmer name: Sushil G.R. Family Operated: Yes Years in Operation at site: 50+ Asking price: Flower: 300 INR/kg (shade-dried on-site) Vine (stem):…

  • Article: Regulatory Compliance Systems for Supplements

    In the U.S., dietary supplements and their ingredients are subject to a patchwork of regulations, industry guidances, voluntary certifications, and audit programs.  With some exceptions, few of our standards have been developed with expert consensus and then broadly implemented by industry. FDA’s dietary supplement Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) are part of the exception, and have…

  • Dietary Supplement Laboratory Quality Testing

    Testing Foods, Supplements and Ingredients The mass confusion around quality testing has brought more awareness to the issue, but the industry is still lacking clear guidance on how to deal with some of the practical issues. That’s why NaturPro offers independent laboratory support for food & supplement testing for natural products. Have natural product analysis…

  • Dietary Supplement Formula Development

    Creating a successful product is a lot more than creating a list of ingredients that mix well together. NaturPro has a broad base of knowledge in product development and production of dietary supplements, healthy foods and natural products, spanning from raw material to finished consumer product. We guide our clients in the right direction, by…

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