Global Healing's Standards for Raw Ingredient Suppliers
At Global Healing, we believe the integrity of a supplement begins long before it reaches a bottle. It starts with the plants, the soil they grow in, and the honesty of the people who harvest them. Unfortunately, not every supplier in this industry shares those values. Some attempt to sell low-quality ingredients at a premium [1], and manufacturers with lax quality control may not catch them before they move into production.
When this happens, entire batches of supplements could be missing a label ingredient or contain unregulated ingredients [2]. Either way, when this happens, you — the consumer — will not get the expected benefits from a product you paid for, trusted, and ingested.
We use a strict vetting process to identify which growers consistently produce the highest quality ingredients and the vendors who can get those botanicals to us.
Why Is It Important to Choose Suppliers Carefully?
Some botanical suppliers sell batches of extracts that may contain significantly less of a declared plant or plant component. Experts have identified two main methods of deception [1]:
- Using excipients to dilute native plant extracts to unknown ratios.
- Extracting and selling the most therapeutic compounds from a plant, and selling the leftover matter as if it were complete.
These tactics don't necessarily pose safety concerns for consumers, but they can result in finished products that don't meet label claims or deliver the expected results.
Imagine buying a turmeric supplement to help support a healthy inflammation response, only to find it has barely any curcumin (the compound responsible for its benefits). Not only have you wasted your money, but you're left without the support you were seeking.
Real-World Case of Missing Ingredient
Supplement manufacturers' responsibility goes beyond checking their suppliers' work. In some instances, suppliers claim dilution is the only way to meet their customers' budget.
At the 2023 annual conference of the Natural Health Product Research Society of Canada, a member of the contract analytical laboratory Alkemist Labs in Garden Grove, California, recalls a conversation with a manufacturer that hired the lab to perform third-party testing for valerian extract [1]:
The manufacturer was confused when they discovered their valerian samples contained 0.25% valerian and 99.75% maltodextrin (a starch and filler commonly used in supplements). Once the manufacturer could determine the source, the supplier stated that the extreme dilution was necessary according to the manufacturer's price expectations [1].
This wasn't just a fluke. It's a classic case of a manufacturer prioritizing cost over quality at the consumer's expense.
Global Healing Shops by Quality – Not By Price
After more than two decades in business, Global Healing has built a reputation as a manufacturer that accepts nothing less than the best, regardless of cost. We have a meticulous quality control process to identify only the highest-quality ingredients and most reputable suppliers.
We test rigorously, above and beyond industry standards, to guarantee only the purest, most potent raw herbs make it to production. If a shipment falls short of our strict criteria in any way, we immediately reject it and return it to the supplier.
Here are a few methods we use when selecting raw ingredient suppliers:
- Check the Organic Integrity Database – When looking for a new supplier, we first go through a list curated by the USDA and Trade Partner-Accredited Certifying Agents.
- Send a Vendor Qualification Form – After choosing a handful of prospective suppliers, we ask them to complete a form that allows us to verify certifications, contact information, and quality standards.
- Visit farms in person – We make it a priority to personally verify quality growing conditions, environmental sustainability, and ethical working standards.
- Collect and test multiple samples – We test 5–10 samples for identity, purity, potency, and a range of contaminants, including heavy metals and microbes.
We Know Exactly Where Our Ingredients Come From
Most supplement companies don't talk about where their ingredients come from. Unfortunately, it's often because they don't know. But we do. Our process takes more time, more effort, and yes, more money. But it's worth ensuring that what's on the label is exactly what's in the bottle, and it's worth your trust.
You deserve to know exactly what you're putting into your body, where it comes from, and how it's made. If you have questions, ask us. Our Customer Success Team is here to give you real answers. No runarounds. No vague claims. Just Pure Transparency. (Se habla Español).
References (2)
- Gafner, S., Loffredo, L., Kababick, J., Wise, S., & Upton, R. (2024). The undisclosed presence of excipients and diluents in botanical extracts. HerbalGram, 140, 44–51. https://doi.org/10.59520/hg.bapp/psyd8392
- Brazil, Benjamin. (2024, June 27). What’s Actually in Your Supplements? Chapman Newsroom. https://news.chapman.edu/2024/06/27/whats-actually-in-your-supplements/
Dr. Edward Group, DC
FOUNDER | HEALER | ADVOCATEDr. Group, DC is a healer and alternative health advocate, and an industry leader and innovator in the field of natural health who is dedicated to helping others. He is a registered doctor of chiropractic (DC), a naturopathic practitioner (NP), and proud alum of Harvard Business School and MIT Sloan School of Management. Dr. Group, DC is the founder of Global Healing – a mission and vision he has shared through best-selling books and frequent media appearances. He aims to spread his message of positivity, hope, and wellness throughout the world.
