Challenges in the botanical ingredient supply chain

Adulteration in the botanical ingredient supply chain has increased in frequency. Manufacturers must change how they reject a raw material for adulteration to prevent known adulterated materials from re-entering the marketplace. The Botanical Adulteration Protection Program (BAPP), developed by the American Botanical Council (ABC), the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia (AHP), and the University of Mississippi's National Center for Natural Products Research (NCNPR) is a template manufacturers and suppliers can use to prevent adulterated materials from entering the consumer value chain.

Consumer trust is one of the most pressing issues facing the natural products industry. This is a good news/bad news proposition: The good news is consumers have an abundance of information and resources available to them. The bad news is some of this information is misguided, misstated or just false.

Adulteration of ingredients occur for numerous reasons; some by omission, and others by active commission. Commonly, an ingredient manufacturer has a poor batch clearance processes. Poor quality standards within the ingredient supply chain are often the root cause of many adulteration issues. Lack of testing for the contaminants is a major issue.

Standards of identity for material testing are more accurate now than in the past. Improved supplier quality agreements now also outline better processes for the natural products supply chain.

To learn more check out Innovation from the SupplySide East community, 2020 – digital magazine.

Check out the Challenges in the botanical ingredient supply chain: Opportunities for manufacturers to create change – webinar now on demand with featured speaker Jim Emme. 

Jim Emme is CEO of NOW Foods.