New NSF GMP Facility Certification for Functional Foods Goes to First U.S. Supplier

Novel Ingredient Services (West Caldwell, NJ) is now the first U.S. dietary ingredients supplier-and only the second in the world-to be certified under NSF International’s GMP facility registration for functional food and beverages.

NSF recently established this new certification program in 2013. It is an extension of the company’s larger GMP registration program. The facility registration indicates a company is in compliance with GMP standards per NSF’s International Certification Guideline 299 for functional foods, which is consistent with FDA’s GMP regulations for food products (21 CFR 110.3). Only two companies have so far received certification under this new NSF program: Japan-based firm Miraikan and now Novel Ingredient Services.

To obtain certification, Novel underwent NSF’s requisite on-site audits to review the company’s processes, including personnel, physical plant, control systems, and recordkeeping.

According to Novel, “Sourcing dietary supplement ingredients from a NSF GMP-registered facility provides finished-goods manufacturers a competitive advantage by helping them better prepare for rigorous audits and certifications, strengthen oversight on their ingredient suppliers, and ensure higher quality consumer products.”

“End-products can only be as good as the ingredients that go into them,” said Bob Green, Novel’s chairman, in the company’s press release. “Using raw materials from Novel’s NSF GMP-registered facility will give manufacturers true peace of mind that they are meeting or exceeding regulatory requirements.”

Need help understanding NSF International's various certification programs, including facility and product certifications? Read a recent article from Nutritional Outlook.