Natural Products Insider: Then and Now – USP seal

Jon Benninger, vice president and market leader at Informa Markets, reflects on the importance of a U.S. Pharmacopeia program seal for dietary supplements.

Jon Benninger

November 15, 2022

2 Min Read
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This series looks back at the stories we were covering in Natural Products Insider 25, 20, 15, 10 and 5 years ago this month. In addition to providing some interesting history, I explore why these stories are still relevant today.

Then (November 2002): Twenty years ago this month, the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) unveiled its program seal for its new Dietary Supplement Verification Program (DSVP). The program enabled manufacturers to submit products for USP verification of purity, accuracy of labeling and manufacturing practices. The intent was to convey to consumers, retailers and health care professionals that the product contains the ingredients declared on the label in the declared amounts, meets required limits on potential contaminants, and has been manufactured in compliance with USP good manufacturing practices (GMPs). USP expected products bearing the seal to appear on the market by January 2003.

Now: The USP Verified Mark appears today on more than 100 dietary supplement products, including products from Church & Dwight Co. Inc., Contract Pharmacal Corp. (CPC), DrVita Inc., International Vitamin Corp (IVC), Lang Pharma Nutrition, Lily of The Desert, MeriCal, Ritual, Natrol LLC, Natural Factors, Nutrawise Health & Beauty, Pharmavite LLC, Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC, The Bountiful Company, Trident Seafoods Corp., Uni-Caps LLC, Valensa International and Vit-Best Nutrition.

Related:Natural Products Insider: Then and now – Ephedra

The most prolific brand using the USP seal is Nature Made from Pharmavite, and the brand has been running ads promoting this for many years. The USP Verified Mark, along with many other industry quality verification programs, plays an important role in building trust among consumers. According to the Council for Responsible Nutrition’s “2022 CRN Consumer Survey on Dietary Supplements,” 77% of Americans find the dietary supplement industry trustworthy. Among supplement users, 84% find the industry trustworthy.

 

 

About the Author

Jon Benninger

Informa

Jon Benninger is vice president and market leader at Informa Markets. He focuses on the strategic direction and growth of the SupplySide portfolio, which includes SupplySide West, SupplySide East, Natural Products Insider and Food & Beverage Insider. He coordinates with leaders of the other Informa health and nutrition events and brands, including Natural Products Expo West, Vitafoods, Food ingredients, Nutrition Capital Network, Nutrition Business Journal and MarketReady Insights.

Benninger joined the company in 1995 as the founding editor of the company’s first trade magazine for the nutrition industry. In his free time, Jon loves to cook for family and friends; if you are ever in Phoenix and want to enjoy a meal, all you must do is choose a country, region, or city, and Jon will cook it for you.

Jon Benninger

VP & Market Leader – SupplySide

Summary

  • Helped launch the SupplySide business in 1995.

  • Active in industry associations and initiatives and leads strategic partnerships for SupplySide.

  • Cares deeply about supply chain, quality, and innovation issues that drive industry growth and success.

Awards

  • ABC Mark Blumenthal Community Builder Award, 2018

  • Vitamin Angels Grateful Acknowledgement for Supporting Global Children’s Health, 2018

  • AHPA Visionary Award, 2014

  • NPA Industry Champion Award, 2014

  • CRN Crystal Apple Award for Industry Leadership, 2010

Current Volunteer Positions

  • Board Chair and Board Trustee, Sonoran University of Health Sciences (formerly Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine)

  • Founder and Board Representative, Nutrition Advisory Council, Sonoran University of Health Sciences

  • Director’s Circle, American Botanical Council (ABC)

  • Communications Committee, American Herbal Products Association (AHPA)

  • Communications & Media Outreach Committee, Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN)

  • Company Council, International Association of Dietary Supplement Associations (IADSA)

  • Mentor, Women In Nutraceuticals

Past Volunteer Positions

  • President, Dietary Supplement Education Alliance, 2006 – 2008

  • Board of Directors, Dietary Supplement Education Alliance, 2001 – 2006

  • Board of Directors, Citizens for Health, 1999 – 2001

Speaker Credentials

  • "Trends in the US Market for Healthy and Functional Foods and Ingredients, Hi-Japan, Tokyo, 2019

  • “Trends Overview for Japanese Delegation to Natural Products Expo West” Anaheim, CA, 2019

  • “China: Impossible to Ignore” UNPA Member Retreat, Charleston SC, 2019

  • “Trends Overview for Japanese Delegation to Natural Products Expo West” Anaheim, CA, 2018

  • “Nutrition Industry Overview” US-China Business Exchange Dinner, Anaheim CA, 2018

  • “Industry Outlook: Market & Key Factors” National Enzyme Annual Meeting, Branson, MO, 2017

  • “State of the Human Dietary Supplement Industry” NASC Annual Conference, Austin, TX, 2016

  • “Consumer Concerns of Safety & Efficacy in Supplements” UNPA Member Retreat, Hawaii, 2016

  • “Nutrition, Health and Wellness Trends” Cactus IFT Meeting, Phoenix AZ, 2013

  • “Key Industry Events & Media in the US Market” World Ayurveda Congress, Bangalore, India, 2010

  • “Trends in the Dietary Supplement Industry” Pacific Technology Exchange, Los Angeles, 2010

  • “Succeeding in the US Market for Healthy Products” 4th Nutraceutical Summit, Mumbai, India, 2008

  • “Selling to the US Health Food Industry” Keynote Address, ANIPRON, Mexico City, 2007

  • 1997 – present: moderator/host at SupplySide events

  • 1997 – present: Frequent host/moderator of industry conference sessions, panel discussions & town halls

Resides in

  • Phoenix, AZ

Education

  • Arizona State University, B.A Journalism, 1991

Contact

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