As interest in the quality and safety of health supplements grows, we receive many questions about independent third-party lab testing. At Nutribl, we understand the importance of transparency and quality, and we appreciate our customers' desire to know more about our processes. In this article, we aim to clarify why our rigorous internal testing protocols, guided by BRC (British Retail Consortium) accreditation, are designed to ensure the highest standards of product safety and quality—without the need to independently test every batch.
BRC Accreditation: A Gold Standard for Quality Assurance
BRC accreditation is a globally recognised standard for food safety and quality, ensuring compliance with stringent regulatory and safety requirements. This accreditation represents our commitment to maintaining comprehensive quality control throughout our entire production process. By adhering to BRC standards, we follow rigorous protocols that minimise risks, guarantee product consistency, and ensure customer safety.
Here’s how our BRC-accredited system works to ensure that each product meets the highest standards:
Supplier Audits
Every supplier we collaborate with undergoes thorough audits to confirm they meet our stringent quality criteria. When we conduct a supplier audit, we assess multiple aspects of their operations to confirm they meet our high standards for safety, quality, and compliance. Here are the key areas we focus on:
1. Facility and Production Environment
- Cleanliness and Hygiene: We evaluate the cleanliness and hygiene of their facilities, including processing areas, storage, and equipment. This ensures the environment is free from contamination risks.
- Pest Control: Suppliers must have effective pest control programs in place to prevent any potential contamination of raw materials or finished goods.
- Controlled Access: We verify that they control access to sensitive areas, allowing only authorised personnel, which helps reduce the risk of contamination or tampering.
2. Quality Management Systems
- Documentation and Record-Keeping: Suppliers must maintain detailed records for all processes, including ingredient traceability, batch records, and standard operating procedures. This documentation allows us to verify that every step of production follows a standardised protocol.
- Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): We review their SOPs for critical processes like handling, processing, packaging, and storage. SOPs are essential to ensure consistent and safe production.
- Quality Control Protocols: We examine how they monitor and control product quality, including any testing they perform on raw materials and finished products.
3. Raw Material Sourcing and Testing
- Supplier Qualification: How the supplier qualifies and monitors their own raw material sources, ensuring they only procure high-quality ingredients.
- Certificates of Analysis (COA): COAs are required for all raw materials, verifying their purity, potency, and compliance with specifications.
- Contaminant Testing: Suppliers must perform or provide evidence of testing for contaminants such as heavy metals, pesticides, and microbiological impurities, which are crucial for product safety.
4. Traceability and Transparency
- Full Supply Chain Transparency: It is required that suppliers have traceability systems that can track each ingredient from origin to finished product. This enables us to quickly identify and address any issues that may arise.
- Batch Records: Suppliers must maintain comprehensive batch records, detailing each step of production. These records are essential for ensuring consistency and are invaluable for quality assurance and regulatory compliance.
5. Compliance with Regulatory Standards
- Local and International Regulations: We assess whether suppliers meet local and international regulatory standards, including Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and specific certifications relevant to food safety (such as ISO 22000, HACCP).
- Labeling and Product Claims: Suppliers must comply with labelling regulations, accurately representing product ingredients and claims. This helps ensure that all products meet legal requirements and customer expectations.
6. Employee Training and Safety Protocols
- Regular Training Programs: We verify that suppliers provide ongoing training to their employees on food safety, hygiene, and handling practices, ensuring a well-informed and responsible workforce.
- Health and Safety Procedures: Suppliers are required to have health and safety protocols in place to protect workers and maintain a safe production environment.
- Cross-Contamination Prevention: Training on handling allergens and preventing cross-contamination is critical, especially for suppliers handling multiple product types or ingredients.
7. Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA)
- Incident Response Plans: We review their procedures for addressing incidents, such as contamination or product recalls. This includes their plans for identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions.
- Continuous Improvement Programs: Suppliers must have a system in place for continuously improving their processes based on audit findings, customer feedback, and internal reviews.
8. Environmental Sustainability and Ethical Practices
- Sustainable Sourcing: Where possible, we encourage suppliers to source materials sustainably and responsibly, supporting environmental stewardship.
By conducting these detailed supplier audits, we ensure that every supplier meets high standards for safety, quality, and consistency. This rigorous process, aligned with our BRC accreditation, allows us to maintain control over every stage of our supply chain, giving our customers confidence in the safety, purity, and effectiveness of our products.
Spot-Testing for Quality Assurance
To maintain consistent quality across all our product lines, we implement routine spot-testing on selected batches. This involves comprehensive testing of random samples, allowing us to:
- Identify and address any anomalies promptly.
- Verify that each product adheres to our high standards.
- Ensure ongoing compliance with regulatory requirements.
Spot-testing acts as a powerful quality control measure within our overall assurance strategy.
Why We Don’t Independently Lab Test Every Batch
While third-party testing can offer additional verification, our BRC-accredited protocols are designed to exceed standard safety and quality requirements. Conducting independent lab testing on every batch would introduce significant costs, likely impacting product pricing without proportionate benefits in quality assurance. Our internal processes already deliver consistency and safety, which we confidently maintain through our accredited protocols.
Option for Independent Third-Party Testing
We recognise that some customers may desire additional reassurance. For those interested, we offer the option to arrange independent third-party lab testing:
- Available Upon Request: Customers can request third-party testing for specific batches.
- Cost Consideration: Any additional costs associated with this testing would be covered by the customer.
- Transparency and Flexibility: This service allows for personalised verification while upholding the reliability of our standard procedures.
Commitment to Quality and Transparency
At Nutribl, we value transparency and prioritise the trust our customers place in us. Our BRC-accredited system is a testament to our dedication to producing safe, effective products. By choosing our supplements, you are assured of products manufactured under some of the most comprehensive quality standards in the industry.
- Safety: Rigorous testing protocols ensure all products are safe for consumption.
- Purity: Strict supplier audits and material verification maintain product purity.
- Consistency: In-house testing and spot-checking guarantee consistent quality in every batch.
We are always here to answer any questions and provide further details about our quality assurance processes. Your health and satisfaction are our top priorities.
If you have further inquiries or would like to discuss independent testing options, please feel free to reach out to our customer service team.