Nature,
informed by knowledge.

Good Manufacturing Practices

Natural Products Association Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs)

In 2000 the Natural Products Association (then known as the Natural Nutritional Foods Association (NNFA) initiated a new quality certification program called the NNFA GMPs (Good Manufacturing Practices). This voluntary certification program created standardized manufacturing and quality control practices for companies who agreed to undergo comprehensive audits of their manufacturing, quality control and quality assurance processes and procedures. NOW was one of the first manufacturers to seek GMP certification and was awarded an ‘A’ rating by the NPA after an intense audit process. Since 2000 NOW has undergone annual re-certification and has consistently maintained an ‘A’ rating. The NPA GMP certification process includes: 

• A comprehensive third-party audit of our facilities that follows the manufacturing process from start to finish, including raw material receiving and testing, production, quality control and assurance, finished product testing, warehousing, storage, documentation and more.
• Detailed review of quality control and assurance testing methods for raw materials and finished goods including identity, purity, potency, composition and adulterant testing.
• Compliance with sanitation, processing, documentation and testing requirements.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs)

In June of 2010 the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began enforcing federal standardized manufacturing procedures, known as current Good Manufacturing Practices, or cGMPs. These standards assure the proper design, monitoring and control of manufacturing processes and facilities. They also establish minimum requirements for sanitation, record-keeping, package and label content and more. Manufacturers are audited by FDA inspectors to ensure compliance and corrective and preventive action is required for any issues found during the inspection process. At NOW Foods we’re inspected regularly by the FDA and continue to receive only a few minor observations. In fact, our FDA inspection in January 2012 resulted in zero observations (cGMP violations).

Non-GMO Project Inspection

2013 marked NOW’s first inspection by The Non-GMO Project. A third party inspector audited our facility for compliance with Non-GMO Project requirements including cleanliness, non-GMO integrity, and systems. NOW continues to support non-GMO ingredients and products and we’re taking the necessary steps to have our entire food line non-GMO verified by the end of 2013.

Quality Assurance International (QAI) Organic Certification

One of the leading United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)-accredited organic product certifying agencies in the United States, Quality Assurance International (QAI) is “committed to ensuring organic integrity at every link in the organic production chain.” From farm to retail shelf, QAI verifies organic product integrity at every step and their expertise applies to crop production, food manufacturing, distribution, retail, foodservice, personal care products, dietary supplements and more. NOW Foods is a QAI-certified organic manufacturer. We’re audited annually for compliance with the National Organic Program (NOP).

Cleanliness, Hygiene and Sanitation

NPA GMPs and FDA cGMPs require manufacturers to adhere to stringent minimum levels of cleanliness and sanitation. NOW goes to great lengths to ensure the cleanliness of our facilities and equipment. We perform environmental testing to ensure proper air quality and to control cross contamination. Equipment is swabbed to check for contaminants and to ensure cleanliness. We perform a highly specialized ATP (adenosine triphosphate) sampler test that allows us to screen for allergens and microbes. Rooms that house manufacturing equipment are designed to control cross contamination and are specially built to allow for comprehensive cleaning, including ceilings, walls and floors. Hygiene, cleanliness and sanitation are taken into account throughout every step of the manufacturing process.

Labeling Accuracy & Transparency

As part of NPA GMPs and FDA cGMPs, manufacturers are also required to meet certain standards regarding the accuracy and transparency of dietary supplement packages and labels. NOW has been an industry champion for truth in labeling for decades. NOW’s founder Elwood Richard and his brother Lou were instrumental in the creation of the NPA’s Tru-Label Program, an “internal oversight program…designed to create a high level of confidence with retailers and consumers that products sold in the marketplace are accurately labeled; to establish an ongoing self-regulatory process within the industry; to demonstrate industry maturity to legislators; and to provide a comprehensive industry product database.” NOW Foods participates in the Tru-Label Program and submits to random product testing to ensure compliance. Today we provide assurance through sampling and product testing that what’s on the label is in the bottle. NOW® dietary supplement labels are designed in-house to provide a wealth of essential information for retailers and consumers. Our labels include complete supplement facts, key ingredient potencies, additional ingredients, allergen information, suggested usage, qualified health claims, appropriate structure/function claims, cautions, storage conditions and other related additional information.

NOW’s labels are designed to help the consumer quickly determine what the product is for and whether it addresses their own nutritional needs. The front panel (or principal display panel) highlights the main product category and bulleted structure/ function claims to help the consumer quickly identify if a product meets their personal needs. Retailers and consumers alike can trust, based on our sampling and testing program, that what’s listed on a NOW® dietary supplement label is exactly what they’ll find in the bottle.

Testing from Start to Finish

 At NOW, ingredient and finished product testing is the backbone of our Quality Control and Quality Assurance programs. The investments we’ve made in laboratories, instrumentation and technical employees help us to ensure key elements of dietary supplement quality, including identity, purity, potency and composition. NOW tests our ingredients and finished products, meeting and exceeding cGMP testing standards. In a single month of production this can entail more than 16,000 individual tests.

We request pre-shipment samples from our suppliers for testing. Once a raw material is approved and arrives at one of our facilities we sample the lot and perform a series of tests. Retains are stored for future reference and test results are recorded in compliance with NPA GMPs and FDA cGMPs. In-process ingredient testing is performed during production and once the finished product is produced, we perform an additional battery of tests before the product lot is released into inventory. NOW is committed to comprehensive, industry-leading ingredient and finished product testing.

i. Staff

Industry-leading laboratory facilities and state-of-the-art instrumentation won’t get you far without an expert technical staff. NOW has gone to great lengths to recruit some of the brightest and most qualified scientists and technicians in the natural products industry. Our staff includes 24 Master’s degree holders, 12 Ph.D.s, one M.D., a board certified toxicologist, a multitude of Bachelor’s degree holders and more. We employ well over 100 Quality Control staff members, who work three shifts five to six days a week. At NOW Foods quality never rests thanks to the efforts of our dedicated technical staff.

Analytical Instrumentation

NOW invests heavily in the instruments necessary to guarantee the safety and quality of our products.

Soleris® Rapid Microbiological System

• Rapid method for detecting the presence of harmful pathogens
• Measures microbial growth by monitoring pH and biochemical reactions
• NOW uses Soleris^® to detect unwanted contaminants 

HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography)

• Versatile analytical instrument that is the workhorse of NOW’s analytical laboratories
• Able to analyze a variety of components in raw material samples
• NOW uses HPLC to conduct a wide variety of tests on ingredients and raw materials

HPTLC (high performance thin layer chromatography)

• Visual chromatography technique used by botanists to identify the composition of plant-derived powders and extracts
• NOW uses HPTLC to confirm the identity of botanicals such as Black Cohosh and Goldenseal
• This technology helps NOW to correctly identify botanical species and ensure labeling accuracy

GC (gas chromatography)

• Used to analyze volatile components in a mixture
• Similar to HPLC except the analysis is performed on a gas instead of a liquid
• NOW uses GC to analyze fatty acids in marine- and plant-based oils as well as other compounds such as MSM 

ICPMS (inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry)

• Analytical technique used by chemists to determine the elemental composition of a sample
• Very sensitive technique that allows the detection of very low levels of elements
• NOW uses ICPMS to measure minerals such as calcium and magnesium and to test for heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury 

TOF-MS (time-of-flight mass spectrometry)

• Capable of identifying a sample chemical by measuring its molecular weight; analogous to an extremely sensitive balance
• Provides accurate mass analyses for profiling, identifying, characterizing and quantifying low Molecular weight compounds and biomolecules
• NOW uses TOF- MS for the analysis of ingredients in finished products where regular HPLC doesn't work

UV/Vis (ultraviolet/visible spectroscopy)

• Analytical technique used by NOW to measure the content of a compound in a liquid by light absorption for the purpose of confirming identity and strength
• Different colors of light are absorbed differently by different compounds
• Selectivity can be achieved by varying light wavelength

LCMS (liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry)

• This analytical technique couples the separation capabilities of HPLC with the detection capabilities of a mass spectrometer
• Helps to identify unknown components or confirm the presence of components in a sample
• NOW chemists use LCMS to develop cutting-edge methods to identify a new active component or to seek out unwanted adulterants

IR (infrared spectroscopy)

• A non-destructive analytical technique used by NOW to identify raw materials
• This technique involves treating a sample with energy in order to make the chemical bonds vibrate
• Vibrational patterns will vary due to each raw material’s unique chemical bonds
• NOW has developed a unique IR technique that also allows for the detection of adulterants in ingredients

ii. Laboratory Facilities & Capabilities

Analytical Preparation Laboratory

Raw material and ingredient sample testing is performed in our Analytical Preparation laboratory. We confirm the identity of all incoming raw materials, as well as the quality of these materials and the levels of certain biomarkers and active components.

Physical Testing Laboratory

Once raw material and ingredient samples have been prepared they’re sent to Physical Testing for further analysis and verification of identity and purity.

Research & Development Pilot Plant

The R&D Pilot Plant is where new formulation and product ideas are developed and tested. Our R&D team is constantly seeking new synergistic ingredient combinations that can support health and well-being and advance the science of natural health and nutrition.

Microbiology Laboratory

Microbiological screening is an extremely important step in guaranteeing natural product quality. Our Microbiology laboratory, which includes the Soleris® Rapid Microbiological System, gives us the capability to test incoming raw materials as well as finished products for the presence of microbiological contaminants. Our microbiological testing program is designed to ensure the safety of all of our products from raw materials to finished goods.

Sensory Laboratory

The Sensory laboratory is where science must meld with sensation. Sensory evaluation participants review selected products and rate their sensory, or organoleptic, properties. Sensory evaluation ensures that NOW® products taste great and are pleasing to all of the senses.

Analytical Testing Laboratory

When an ingredient or finished product needs comprehensive scientific analysis it’s sent to the Analytical Testing laboratory. The heart of NOW’s Quality Control and Quality Assurance efforts, the Analytical lab is home to some of the most advanced analytical instrumentation currently available. Here you’ll find many of the precision instruments detailed in the preceding pages, such as high performance liquid chromatographs, gas chromatographs, infrared spectroscopes and more.

Personal Care Laboratory

Personal Care products and ingredients require unique and specialized processes and analyses that our Personal Care laboratory is specifically equipped to handle.

Methods Development Laboratory

If Analytical Testing is the heart of NOW’s quality efforts, then Methods Development is the brain. It’s here that NOW scientists use science and chemistry to explore potential new methods for the analysis of natural product ingredients. NOW’s Methods Development group is credited with the discovery of a new analytical technique that allows for rapid identity confirmation of glucosamine and chondroitin, as well as a method to stabilize s-adenosylmethionine, or SAMe, allowing it to be offered in supplemental tablet form.

ICPMS (inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry) Laboratory

NOW’s ICPMS laboratory is where we enter rarified air. NOW has been using this advanced analytical instrument since 2007, but most natural product manufacturers are just now starting to employ this sophisticated testing method. ICPMS is an extremely sensitive technique used by scientists to determine the elemental composition of an ingredient sample. NOW uses ICPMS to measure minerals such as iron, calcium and magnesium, as well as to test for minute levels of heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury. NOW currently utilizes three ICPMS instruments, a rarity in the realm of dietary supplement manufacturers, where some may have one ICPMS, but most have none.

GC (gas chromatography) Laboratory

Our Gas Chromatography laboratory is where we analyze the volatile components of various mixtures. NOW scientists utilize gas chromatography to analyze fatty acids in marine oils and botanicals.

Comprehensive Ingredient & Finished Product Testing

Our investments in staff, instrumentation and facilities allow us to perform comprehensive ingredient and finished product testing. In fact, NOW performs more than 16,000 analyses and tests per month. We test each of our incoming raw materials and ingredients, in-process ingredients and finished products. We test to meet cGMP standards. NOW tests ingredients for these key attributes - identity, purity, potency, and composition. Very few natural products manufacturers perform finished product testing in-house due to the exorbitant cost and investment required. Our dedication to comprehensive testing sets us apart from other natural product manufacturers.

These same investments help us provide the outstanding value for which NOW has become known. Ownership of our own laboratories and instruments, coupled with our technical staff, allows us to test and analyze faster, be more responsive and adaptive and provide fresher products at reduced costs due to higher turnaround of finished products. The contract laboratories that many other manufacturers rely on are becoming harder and harder to find and their lead times for analyses are becoming longer, which increases costs that other manufacturers then pass on to retailers and consumers. NOW’s long-term planning is positioning us for continued growth while protecting the quality and value consumers have come to expect from NOW® products.

Methods Development

The development of scientific methods is the basis for all modern science. Methods development is the process of discovering new and improved ways to perform scientific analyses. This branch of science requires advanced analytical thinking and an excellent grasp of scientific analyses, current methods, instrumentation and our natural products. NOW’s Methods Development group is at the forefront of method development for natural products and dietary supplements. They also focus on modifications to existing methods that apply to our products in order to increase testing efficiency and improve fill rates.

This group is credited with the development of a new analytical technique for the determination of glucosamine, entitled Determination of Glucosamine in Raw Materials and Dietary Supplements Containing Glucosamine Sulfate and/or Glucosamine Hydrochloride by HPLC with FMOC-Su Derivatization. This method was adopted as an AOAC (Association of Analytical Communities) First Action Official Methodsm.

This method has become an internationally accepted standard method for the testing of glucosamine products.

NOW’s Methods Development group has also developed methods for Chondroitin, S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine (SAMe), Arginine and Stevia, as well as a method for accurately detecting unwanted adulterants such as pharmaceuticals, drugs, steroids and toxic substances.

Our Methods Development group also focuses on modifications to existing methods that apply to our products in order to increase testing efficiency and improve fill rates.

Our Production Capabilities and Statistics

With the most extensive product line in the industry, NOW’s manufacturing and production capabilities are second-to-none.

Statistics

• In 2012 NOW Foods packaged 38 million units using 20 different production lines
• NOW produced over 1.2 billion capsules and over 400 million tablets in 2012
• In 2013 we increased our encapsulation capacity by 70% compared to 2012 and we increased our tablet production by 25%

Capabilities

• 20 different production lines running six days a week over three shifts
• Encapsulation, tableting, liquid, powder, packet, lotions & creams and food production lines
• The complete line of NOW Real Teas are produced at our Bloomingdale facility
• 2013 marks the commencement of softgel manufacturing at our Western Operations Center in Sparks, NV 

NOW operates a sophisticated liquid packaging line that allows us to perform precise bottle fills across a wide range of products including herbal extracts, essential oils, shampoos and conditioners, mouthwash, skin care oils and much more.

With more than 1,400 products, four different categories and an average of three new products per month, NOW’s production capabilities truly are second-to-none in the natural products industry.

From the purchasing of raw materials to the shipping of finished goods and every step in between, NOW employees are passionate about the quality of our products.

Quality Raw Materials

Testing and high-tech instrumentation are wasted investments without quality raw materials. With more than 1,400 products, NOW’s success has hinged in part on our ability to source and secure quality raw materials. The strong, long-term relations we’ve developed with key suppliers give us unsurpassed purchasing power and the bulk quantity price breaks we enjoy are passed on to our customers in the form of affordable everyday pricing.

NOW uses many trademarked ingredients in our products and we clearly identify these ingredients on our product labels. These ingredients have undergone comprehensive clinical and analytical testing and offer a level of evaluation superior to that of standard ingredients. Finished products containing trademarked ingredients are randomly assayed by the trademark owner to ensure these products are properly manufactured and labeled and that the finished product meets the stringent requirements for the use of their ingredient.

Freshness Guarantee

NOW goes to great lengths to ensure the freshness of our products. Natural products are susceptible to damage from oxygen, light, heat and moisture, so we utilize a variety of contemporary methods to preserve freshness.

Ageless® Oxygen Absorbers

During production an Ageless® Oxygen Absorber packet is inserted into many NOW® products. These packets absorb oxygen and help to control humidity throughout the life of the product. NOW was one of the first industry manufacturers to recognize the importance of protecting natural products from the damaging oxidative effects that occur from oxygen exposure.

Gas Flushing

Another method we use to control oxygen exposure is gas flushing (typically a blend of carbon dioxide and nitrogen gases). During the package filling process the gas is rapidly injected into the package to expel oxygen prior to sealing. Gas flushing offers the additional benefit of preserving the beneficial properties of many natural products. This freshness preservation method is typically used for food products, such as nuts and seeds, that are susceptible to oxidation.

Desiccants

Desiccants are used to absorb moisture during packaging and control moisture until the package is opened by the end user. Desiccants are included in many NOW® products. For products that are highly sensitive to moisture we use a stronger desiccant called a molecular sieve, particularly for probiotic products with live organisms that require a moisture-free environment to survive.

Product-Specific Packaging

Packaging is the front-line of defense against light, heat, moisture and oxygen. Without quality packaging that’s suited to individual products all other efforts to ensure product freshness are doomed to fail. For instance, PETE plastic bottles work well for the majority of our products, but some probiotic supplements maintain their freshness and efficacy longer when packaged in dark glass bottles. NOW utilizes a wealth of technical data to help us choose the best packaging for each product we produce.

Climate-Controlled Storage

Understanding the unique storage conditions required for natural product ingredients and finished goods is an important aspect of freshness. We’ve researched the specific climate requirements for each ingredient we purchase and product we produce and store our materials appropriately to ensure freshness and efficacy through the “Best By” date.

Support & Services

Our quality processes aren’t just about product quality. They also entail quality service and support for those who sell and use NOW® products. NOW’s Customer Service department and Nutrition group provide key services such as addressing product and ingredient questions, providing nutritional advice from certified staff nutritionists, tracking in-transit shipments and more. We also offer convenient online ordering options, an online Store Finder to direct consumers to stores, one of the most comprehensive and informative websites in the industry and a variety of marketing support tools. 

Natural & Organic

Since 1968 NOW Foods has been committed to providing natural products of the highest quality. We firmly believe that natural products are better than synthetic products, which is why we’ve always sought to use organic and non-GMO ingredients whenever possible. These ingredients are produced using methods that preserve their natural identity and integrity, which we feel better supports our mission of empowering people to lead healthier lives.

Organic Products

Organic refers to the earth-friendly system of growing and processing agricultural goods. Weeds and pests are controlled with environmentally sound methods that help preserve the health of our planet for future generations. Instead of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides and genetically modified additives, organic farmers combine time-tested agricultural practices with modern sustainable practices to achieve similar results.

Non-GMO Ingredients and Products

NOW chooses non-GMO ingredients where possible and we’re constantly working to increase our non-GMO selections. GMO stands for genetically modified organism and is also referred to as GM (genetically modified). This method utilizes gene splicing to create agricultural products with unnatural attributes such as rapid growth or high resistance to pests and fungus. Genetic modification is not natural and NOW avoids the use of GMO ingredients whenever possible.

Non-GMO Project Verified Products

The Non-GMO Project is an organization founded by natural product retailers who believe consumers should have access to clearly labeled, non-GMO foods and products. A product bearing the “Non-GMO Project Verified” seal has gone through a rigorous verification process to confirm the absence of any genetic modification. For more information on the Non-GMO Project you can visit their website at www.nongmoproject.org. NOW currently provides many Non-GMO Project Verified products and we’re adding more products as they become available.

Irradiated Ingredients

NOW does not allow the use of irradiated ingredients in any of our products. Irradiation of food and supplement ingredients is a modern manufacturing method that uses specific levels of ionizing radiation to prevent spoilage and kill potential pathogens. This unnatural process irreparably damages DNA and cellular membranes and interrupts enzymatic pathways. Studies on the safety of irradiation are inconclusive and NOW will not allow irradiated ingredients in any of our products. NOW has sophisticated analytical instrumentation that is able to determine if an ingredient has been irradiated.

What Natural Means To Us

At NOW, we firmly believe that natural products are safer and more effective than synthetic products. Our insistence on natural products is one of the many factors that differentiate us from the mass market, where the use of synthetics is rampant. It also differentiates us from many competitors who claim to sell natural products. Many times their labeling reveals that their products are actually manufactured with harsh synthetic ingredients and additives.

NOW Foods was founded for the purpose of providing affordable natural products to everyone and we hold true to this principle today. As a chemist, our founder Elwood Richard understood the dangers posed by synthetic ingredients decades ago and he knew that true health and wellness begins with products that are As Natural As Possible™. We’ve been manufacturing and distributing natural and nature-identical products since 1968 and our steady growth over the past 45 years is an affirmation of our founder’s unwavering dedication to providing natural products that are both affordable and effective.

Environmental & Sustainability Efforts

At NOW Foods we’re committed to protecting the environment for future generations to enjoy. It’s our responsibility and duty to constantly improve our environmental footprint by reducing waste and emissions, conserving water and energy, recycling a wide range of materials and participating in local, national and global conservation efforts. As an affirmation of our commitment to the environment, NOW is honored to be a four-time Illinois Governors Sustainability Award winner. This award is presented to “organizations in Illinois that have demonstrated a commitment to environmental excellence through outstanding and innovative sustainability practices.”

Earth Flag for Business

NOW was the first for-profit business to receive the DuPage County Earth Flag for Business, an award that recognizes socially responsible businesses that exemplify an ongoing commitment to the environment.

Solar Panels

In support of our environmental and sustainability efforts NOW has installed solar panels at our Midwestern and Western Operations Centers. These panels help to offset some of NOW’s power consumption and help reduce our impact on the environment.

Recycling & Sustainability Statistics

• NOW recycles over 400 tons of material annually
• 100% of NOW’s e-waste (obsolete electronics) is recycled to protect valuable groundwater
• Our water conservation efforts save over 1.3 million gallons of water annually
• Our use of energy efficient lighting saves over 600,000 kWh each year
• NOW shipping boxes are made from 100% recycled materials, which saves an estimated 12,000 trees annually

LEED Certification

In November of 2012 NOW Foods received LEED Silver Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for our new Western Operations Center in Sparks, Nevada. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a voluntary program that provides third-party certification of green buildings. LEED-certified buildings are designed to reduce waste sent to landfills, conserve energy and water, be safer and healthier for occupants, reduce harmful greenhouse emissions and more.

Forest Preserve Clean-Up Days

NOW’s Midwestern Operations Center in Bloomingdale, Illinois borders the DuPage County East Branch Forest Preserve and NOW employees have taken an active interest in protecting this preserve by volunteering for annual clean-up days. In addition to litter removal employees have helped plant new trees and aquatic plants.

NOW is committed to reducing our carbon footprint and maintaining a safe, healthy working environment for our employees.

Reducing Our Impact Though Green Printing

Because we offer such a broad product line, and to better support our customers, NOW produces a variety of printed materials. In support of our environmental efforts we are cognizant of the quantity we print and we also adhere to our own standards for sustainable green printing whenever possible. These standards include: 

• Exclusive use of vegetable-based inks
• Reduction of ink coverage when and where possible
• Reduction of elimination of UV coatings, varnishes, and laminates
• Use of water-based aqueous coatings that are more environmentally friendly
• Use of minimum 10%post-consumer recycled paper manufactured under the auspices of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and/or the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI)
• Use of uncoated paper stock
• Use of lighter-weight papers, which require fewer manufacturing resources and reduce fuel use for shipping

Corporate Social Responsibility

JMN Pharmaceutical SA is a company that meets the necessary standards to be regarded as an example of corporate social responsibility. Financial transparency, compliance with national and international accounting standards, as well as initiatives undertaken by the Sales Department, constitute key elements for adherence to good business practices and compliance with the applicable code of ethics. It is also worth noting that the company's practices and initiatives significantly exceed the minimum requirements established by the legislative framework at both national and international levels.