SupplySide West podcast: Selecting the right contract lab

Choosing the right contract lab takes time and dedication, but reward of safe, legal products is worth it

Sandy Almendarez, VP of Content

October 29, 2018

Supplement brands are required to evaluate their products for safety under federally mandated GMPs (good manufacturing practices), but many brands don’t have the expertise or equipment in house to conduct appropriate tests. Brands can turn to third-party contract laboratories to conduct these assays, but selecting the right partner is crucial for safety, legal and—often—financial success.

In this podcast, Blake Ebersole, president of NaturPro Scientific, discusses the selection process and how a supplement brand can chose the best contract lab. With Sandy Almendarez, editor in chief, INSIDER, Ebersole covers:

  • Why contract labs need to be verified and evaluated like every other supplier the supplement brand uses

  • How long it usually takes a brand to research, interview and choose a contract lab

  • When it’s OK to conduct a paper audit and when it makes sense to conduct an onsite audit of a contract lab.

Links and resources

About the Author

Sandy Almendarez

VP of Content, Informa

Summary

• Well-known subject matter expert within the health & nutrition industry with more than 15 years’ experience reporting on natural products.

• She cares a lot about how healthy products are made, where their ingredients are sourced and how they affect human health.

• She knows that it’s the people behind the businesses — their motivations, feelings and emotions — drive industry growth, so that’s where she looks for content opportunities.

Sandy Almendarez is VP of Content for SupplySide and an award-winning journalist. She oversees the editorial and content marketing teams for the B2B media brands SupplySide Supplement Journal and SupplySide Food & Beverage Journal, the education programming for the health and nutrition trade shows SupplySide Connect New Jersey and SupplySide West, the education program SupplySide Fresh for industry newcomers and community engagement across the SupplySide portfolio. She is a seasoned content strategist with a passion for health, good nutrition, sustainability and inclusion. With over 15 years of experience in the health and nutrition industry, Sandy brings a wealth of knowledge to her role as a content-focused business leader. With specialization in topics ranging from product development to content engagement, creative marketing and c-suite decision making, her work is known for its engaging style and its relevance for business leaders in the health and nutrition industry.

In her free time, Sandy loves running, drinking hot tea and watching her two kids grow up. She brews her own “Sandbucha” homemade kombucha; she’s happy to share if you’re ever in Phoenix!

Awards:

Speaker credentials

Resides in

  • Phoenix, AZ

Education

  • Arizona State University

Contact:

Subscribe for the latest consumer trends, trade news, nutrition science and regulatory updates in the supplement industry!
Join 37,000+ members. Yes, it's completely free.

You May Also Like