Mo Lababidi Named Director of Botanical Identity at Alkemist Labs

Alkemist Labs has appointed Mo Lababidi as director of botanical identity, a move that places operational and scientific leadership around plant authentication at the center of the Garden Grove, California-based laboratory’s next phase of work, the June 22 announcement states.¹

“Alkemist Labs has always set the standard for integrity in botanical testing, and my foundational years here helped shape my career as a scientist and leader,” stated Lababidi. “Returning as Director of Botanical Identity is an incredible full-circle moment. I’m excited to combine my technical roots with strategic leadership to ensure we continue delivering trusted results and dependable service for our clients.”

The Alkemist announcement frames Lababidi’s role around enhancing laboratory efficiency, supporting regulatory compliance, and maintaining scientific integrity. The company describes its work as covering plant authentication, botanical ingredient identification, quantitative analytical services, and contaminant screening for nutraceutical, food and beverage, and cosmeceutical clients.

Why Does Botanical Identity Testing Matter for Nutraceutical Manufacturers?

Botanical identity testing is not a peripheral quality-control step for nutraceutical companies. Under dietary supplement current good manufacturing practice regulations, manufacturers are required to establish specifications for components used in products, including identity specifications, and to conduct at least one appropriate test or examination to verify the identity of a dietary ingredient before use, with limited exceptions defined by regulation.²

For finished product manufacturers, this requirement has practical implications across supplier qualification, incoming raw material release, formulation consistency, and documentation during regulatory inspection. Botanical ingredients can vary by plant part, geography, harvest conditions, processing method, and extraction approach. Those variables place added weight on scientifically appropriate identity methods and on the competence of laboratories performing them.

What Experience Does the New Botanical Identity Director Bring?

According to the announcement, Lababidi holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Redlands and a chemistry degree from California State University, Long Beach. His career includes more than a decade previously spent at Alkemist in laboratory and leadership positions, followed by experience overseeing multi-site laboratory operations.

“Mo’s return to Alkemist is meaningful on many levels,” stated Elan Sudberg, CEO of Alkemist Labs. “He spent 11 years helping build the culture of quality and scientific rigor that defines our company today. Since then, he has broadened his leadership experience and operational expertise and now returns with an even stronger perspective. As Alkemist enters its next chapter of growth, Mo will play a critical role in advancing the future of botanical identity testing while carrying forward our three decades of uncompromising scientific excellence.”

How Does Laboratory Accreditation Fit Into Botanical Ingredient Quality?

Alkemist Labs notes that it is an ISO 17025 accredited contract testing laboratory. It also offers specialty research services to evaluate identity, purity, and quality of botanical raw materials, dietary ingredients, and finished products, and that it produces Composite Reference Botanicals used for botanical identity verification.

Alkemist Labs partnered with NOW in an extensive potency testing of St. John’s Wort supplements, acting as a third-party testing lab for the 22 products tested.³ In 2025 it also released its list of herbs and fungi that frequently failed testing.⁴ As the company noted in a press release, Alkemist Labs possesses a flexible scope ISO 17025 accreditation “which is able to detect adulterants and contamination, such as containing incorrect plant parts, closely related species, and unknowns. This technique is applicable to crude raw botanicals from powdered to whole form, extract (powdered or liquid), and finished product/blends.”

References

1. Alkemist Labs. Alkemist Labs Announces Mo Lababidi as Director of Botanical Identity. June 22, 2026. Accessed June 24, 2026. https://www.alkemist.com/alkemist-labs-announces-mo-lababidi-as-director-of-botanical-identity/
2. Current Good Manufacturing Practice in Manufacturing, Packaging, Labeling, or Holding Operations for Dietary Supplements, 21 CFR Part 111. Accessed June 24, 2026. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-111
3. McEvoy E. NOW’s potency testing finds only one St. John’s Wort supplement passed. November 7, 2025. Accessed June 24, 2026. https://www.nutritionaloutlook.com/view/now-s-potency-testing-finds-only-one-st-john-s-wort-supplement-passed
4. Colli M. Alkemist Labs releases list of herbs and fungi it finds are most prone to adulteration. August 14, 2025. Accessed June 24, 2026. https://www.nutritionaloutlook.com/view/alkemist-labs-releases-list-of-herbs-and-fungi-it-finds-are-most-prone-to-adulteration